Governor of Puerto Rico WANDA VAZQUEZ GARCED

August 3, 2020

The Honorable David L. Bernhardt Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, D.C., 20240

Dear Secretary Bernhardt:

Thank you for the opportunity to help preserve the story of America's heroes and the tremendous role each one holds in our nation's multifaceted history. From political, economic, scientific and abolitionists to patriotic, judicial, religious, and civil rights figures, I completely agree that it is vital to honor those leaders of our past while inspiring future generations.

I am pleased to learn that the current Administration has taken decisive actions to preserve and protect the legacy of American heroes that represent the very best of our values. We recognize and lament the recent waves of vandalism to monuments across the nation, and thus fully support the creation of a National Garden of American Heroes and offer our utmost support in its prompt realization.

Regarding your inquiries, Puerto Rico has several locations that could serve as a reputable space for the establishment of monuments, statues, and the National Garden of American Heroes. Suitable spaces within Federal lands in Puerto Rico may prove difficult to find due to their particular respective missions, and the space requirements outlined in your letter. Potential sites may be found within the refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or within the National Rainforest managed by the National Forest Service. However, the state has spaces of natural beauty that could also be used for such an undertaking:

• The Botanical Garden which may comply with the requirements set in your letter with the exception of Federal ownership. The Botanical Garden is located in San Juan, our Capital City, and is administered by the University of Puerto Rico. • The Municipality of Caguas has a Botanical Garden which is located less than 30 minutes from San Juan.

63 Fortaleza, San Juan, PR 00901 I PO Box 9020082, San Juan, PR 00902-0082 [email protected] I 7 8 7. 7 21 . 7 0 0 0 While Puerto Rico does not have any statues that could be donated, I do suggest that the th National Garden of American Heroes include a statue honoring the 65 Infantry Regiment- recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal for heroic acts in the Korean War.

c: Jennifer M. Storipan, Esq., Executive Director, Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration