(L. to r.): US Rep. Grace Meng and her guest at President Trump’s State of the Union address, Omar Miguel Nieves Delgado, a displaced resident of Puerto Rico who is presently living in Queens. Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico Carmen Yulin, who was the guest of US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined them. In an effort to stand with the people of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and highlight the need for additional hurricane recovery funding, US Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) brought a displaced resident of Puerto Rico, who is presently living in Queens, as her guest to the State of the Union address on the night of January 30.

Meng brought Omar Miguel Nieves Delgado, 33, who was living in San Juan when Hurricane Maria struck and severely damaged his home. Delgado, a dancer by training, also lost his source of income after the island was devastated by the storm. He and his partner relocated to New York City to live with a close friend, and they currently reside in Queens. 

“It is an honor to bring Omar as my guest to the State of the Union after everything he has been through,” said Congress Member Meng. “We cannot forget our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, who are still suffering acutely from the damage caused by Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Just last week, I visited Puerto Rico to see recovery efforts firsthand, and though some progress has been made, residents there still need much more help. I am proud to amplify Omar’s story of resilience, and I hope his attendance at the State of the Union will remind the President, and my congressional colleagues, of our obligation to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”         

“It is an incredible honor to be Congresswoman Meng’s guest for the State of the Union and be part of her effort to make sure that American citizens living in Puerto Rico are not forgotten,” said Omar Miguel Nieves Delgado. “There is still tremendous suffering in Puerto Rico. It has been more than four months since Hurricane Maria struck, and our family, friends and hundreds of thousands of other Americans in Puerto Rico are still dealing with no power, closed businesses, and the consequences of losing any opportunity for a bright future. For me, as an artist, I had the chance of leaving on a ship with a carry-on 10 days after the hurricane hit in order to begin a new life in Queens. But there many people who don’t have the same choice.

The job is still not done and we feel as if we have been forgotten. The struggles of Puerto Rico must continue to be addressed and I thank leaders like Congresswoman Meng for working to make a difference.” 

In addition to bringing her guest, Meng joined members of the Democratic Women’s Working Group to wear black at the State of the Union to stand in solidarity with victims of sexual assault and harassment.