Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) announced today that he will visit the island of Vieques for the first time on April 21st, on a trip that kicks off a series of activities to commemorate the United States Navy’s departure from the “Isla Nena” one decade ago.
During the trip, Grayson will join Resident Commissioner Pedro R. Pierluisi, community leaders, activists, elected officials, and residents affected by the U.S. Navy’s activities on the island, at El Fortín Conde de Mirasol.
Though he is already an outspoken supporter of Vieques, Grayson said he looks forward to learning more about the lives of those living on the island.
Vieques, Puerto Rico’s poorest municipality, was the site of bombing and military exercises for six decades. These activities have prompted a socioeconomic crisis on the island, and resulted in high instances of cancer and other serious health-related issues amongst its inhabitants.
Ricardo Bouyette, organizing group spokesman for Vieques Vive! La Lucha Continúa! said Grayson’s visit is an important prelude to the 10th anniversary commemoration activities.
“Congressman Grayson’s April 21st visit to Vieques will call attention to the pressing needs in Vieques, including environmental clean-up, raising the quality of health on the island, and improving socioeconomic development,” explained Bouyette.
Robert Rabin of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques noted that the significant Puerto Rican population in Grayson’s district means that the Congressman’s visit serves a unique purpose. “For us, this visit is doubly important, because it represents the power of Congressman Grayson in Congress, and the power of the Puerto Rican community in Central Florida,” said Rabin.
“The people of Vieques have suffered long enough, and they are tired of waiting for action. The Viequenes have endured six decades of bombings, six decades of ecological damage, six decades of illness, and a poor quality of life. They have waited through Congressional hearings, waited while tasks forces were assembled, waited for the courts to hear their pleas,” said Grayson. “It is time for this Administration to take action. President Obama made a promise to the island of Vieques—and it’s time for him to deliver on that promise.”
