Council Staff calls next panel; Elba Montalvo testifies

Thank you.

Next we're going to have Dante Apuña, Davila Jimenez, Elba Montalvo.

Like a little girl in a big, at the principal's desk.

Good afternoon, buenas tardes, and thank you City Council for holding this hearing.

It's very important to us.

My name is Elba Montalvo.

I am the founder and the former executive director.

of the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families in New York City.

I am also the former chair of the Puerto Rican Women's Foundation, Fundación de Mujeres en Puerto Rico, FNPR, an organization that I founded with activist women leaders from Puerto Rico

and the New York City Puerto Rican diaspora.

FNPR was launched because, mindful of Puerto Rico's colonial status, we in the diaspora were searching for a way to help our sisters in Puerto Rico deal with the disastrous impact of Hurricane Maria.

It evolved into a philanthropic entity to address the deeply embedded societal issues, economic inequality, racism, and gender bias.

I am giving testimony today as an individual.

I was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, raised in New York City, and for more than 30 years, I have supported services for children and families in Puerto Rico

through advocacy in Washington and by training Puerto Rican family judges around the implementation of legislation on adoption and domestic violence.

My work advocating for appropriate child welfare services for Puerto Rico has been necessary because the laws that are imposed on Puerto Rico by the U.S.

Reflect the priorities and beliefs of the U.S.

Rather than Puerto Rico's own cultural and family beliefs.

They are therefore not always in the best interest of Puerto Rican women and children.

I support all four legislations.

stop Wall Street from profiting from Puerto Rico's debt crisis, end La Junta that has become our imperial master

and governs with impunity, and stop Project Esencia, as many of our brothers and sisters have said today,

It is a project that it built.

I'm tired.

Ay, carajo.

Excuse me.

It is a project that it built will have a devastating economic and ecological impact in the area.

And repeal Act 22, it shields the wealthy from paying taxes and has allowed them to siphon off resources from working class Puerto Ricans.

Every crisis and foundational problem that is confronted by the people of Puerto Rico is both connected to and magnified by its colonial status.

I support the city council for its work to pass four bills that will help address some of the damage caused by Puerto Rico's colonial status.

Thank you.