With Puerto Rican pride on full display along New York City鈥檚 Fifth Avenue, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday he鈥檚 returning to the island to help rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Maria.
Speaking at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Cuomo said he鈥檚 also appointing a commission to oversee the construction of a memorial, located in Manhattan鈥檚 Battery Park City, to victims of the 2017 storm.
Cuomo, a Democrat, said more than 300 students from state-run colleges will travel to Puerto Rico over the summer to help the recovery. Public health experts have estimated that nearly 3,000 people died in 2017 because of the effects of Hurricane Maria.
鈥淚n New York, we have not forgotten,鈥 Cuomo said. 鈥淲e said on day one that we will stand with Puerto Rico every step of the way.鈥
Cuomo has already traveled to Puerto Rico five times since Hurricane Maria hit.
Last year, parade organizers mounted a tribute to those affected by the September 2017 natural disaster, including a group of marchers who had been displaced from their homes.
This year, for its 62nd iteration, the parade is looking to promote the economic development needed for the island to fully get back on its feet. As part of that, it鈥檚 highlighting Discover Puerto Rico, an organization encouraging business and leisure travel to Puerto Rico.
Grand marshal Ricky Martin, the singer known for his stint in Menudo and his hit 鈥淟ivin鈥 La Vida Loca鈥, was celebrated alongside his foundation, which is dedicated to fighting human trafficking.
As New York City marks Pride Month, the parade is paying posthumous tribute to Sylvia Rivera, an LGBTQ rights activist who took part in the Stonewall rebellion 50 years ago this month.
Others being honored in the parade themed 鈥淥ne People, Many Voices鈥 include singers La India and Jos茅 Feliciano, golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez and Hall of Fame-bound baseball slugger Edgar Martinez.
Doris Martinez, 61, of Manhattan, said she鈥檚 been going to the parade since she was 15.
鈥淢y mommy made it a point to show me my heritage and culture at an early age, and for me, it鈥檚 a pride and joy especially to show the world who we are,鈥 she said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio skipped the parade, opting to campaign in Iowa as he seeks the Democratic party鈥檚 nomination in the 2020 presidential race. CC
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