Poliquin successfully urged to launch rescue efforts for Americans on storm-stricken islands

7 years ago

With a wedding group from Maine stranded on Sint Maarten in the Caribbean following the devastation of Hurricane Irma, and with another potentially destructive major storm in Hurricane Jose close behind, Congressman Poliquin joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging the State and Defense Departments to immediately coordinate in launching rescue efforts for the nearly 6,000 Americans left stranded on the Caribbean islands.

“We are all family in Maine. My heart dropped when I heard about the wedding party that has been horribly caught up in the terrors of this storm,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I am in direct communication with the State and Defense Departments, as well as the group of Mainers in Sint Maarten, and am going to use the full weight of my office to do everything I can to help keep these Mainers safe and brought home speedily. I spoke with State Department officials this morning and urged them to take swift action to rescue these trapped Mainers.”

On Friday, Congressman Poliquin spoke directly with the group of Mainers in Sint Maarten and State Department officials. After the remaining members of the group made it to Canada on Sunday evening, Congressman Poliquin met the group and traveled back to Maine with them to ensure they would not have any issue getting through the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) station at Coburn Gore.

Congressman Poliquin has stated that he stands ready to help all the American communities impacted by these storms, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.