On Monday, February 12, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order establishing the Commission on Puerto Rico Relief, an 18-member panel tasked with expediting relief processes for displaced Puerto Ricans in New Jersey through a collaborative effort with state and federal agencies. The group also will identify and analyze other ways the state can help the island.
Among the commission’s members is DeCotiis partner Arlene Quiñones Perez, who also served as the President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey from 2016 to 2017.
“I’d like to thank Governor Murphy, both for his decision to create the task force and for his discerning selection of members to lead the commission,” said Joseph DeCotiis, Managing Partner. “In particular, I want to congratulate Arlene. She is a credit to our firm – not just for her legal expertise, but for her commitment to and engagement with public life for the Latino Community, and New Jerseyans overall.
“I also would like to acknowledge and congratulate Commission Chair Rev. Joshua Rodriguez, Vice Chair Peggy Anastos, and member Idida Rodriguez – as well as all of the other members of the commission, anticipating they will do great work and improve countless lives.”
Formation of the Commission on Puerto Rico Relief comes in the wake of the Governor’s and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s December trip to the island with members of the Legislature, business community, and faith communities to assess and support recovery efforts. Among other topics, the commission will examine power generation issues on the island, educational resources for displaced students and professors, volunteer tourism for New Jerseyans to assist nonprofit recovery organizations working in Puerto Rico, and the recruitment of volunteer lawyers to pursue denial appeals of FEMA benefits.
To learn more about the firm’s expertise and roster of accomplished attorneys, please contact Joseph M. DeCotiis, Managing Partner, at (201) 907-5203, or visit DeCotiisLaw.com.
