Vice President Mike Pence will travel to the Virgin Islands Friday morning to assess hurricane damage, and he will be briefed on the recovery efforts.
"Truth is hurricane Maria was a historic storm with extraordinary damage, and it will be a long way back. But I’m here to report my fellow Americans that we are making progress," Pence said.
Pence will travel to San Juan in the afternoon to meet with the Puerto Rican community.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Raw Video: Families from Puerto Rico arrive at OIA
Pence toured the Disaster Relief Center at the Orlando International Airport Thursday, and later spoke in Kissimmee, saying the victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria will “get through this together.”
Pence discussed the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and praised the quick response in Florida.
“Florida's response to Hurricane Irma set the standard for the nation,” said Pence.
Orlando resident Jeanette Quinones was glad to hear Pence speak so emphatically about Puerto Rico during his visit.
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"It means a lot to me. My family. I have a lot of family still in Puerto Rico, and for me it means the world," Quinones said.
Pence said that more than 11 million meals and 8 million liters of water have been delivered to Puerto Rico.
Several people who heard Pence speak said they were pleased, and that his words made them feel that the U.S. is trying to help rebuild Puerto Rico.
Cox Media Group
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