Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration
Encyclopedia
The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) represents the Government of Puerto Rico
before federal, state, and local governments, promotes the Governor of Puerto Rico
's economic and public policy initiatives to achieve a better quality of life for the four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, and advises local government agencies and municipalities on issues of interest to Puerto Rico before the federal government.
As such, the Washington office is the primary liaison between Puerto Rico's officials, The White House, Congress, and the federal agencies. Additionally, the office interacts with national organizations representing Governors from other states, including the National Governors Association
and the Southern Governors' Association to advance Puerto Rico's interests.
The PRFAA's main office is at 1100 17th Street NW in Washington, DC.
. This office covers the Northeastern Corridor: New York
, New Jersey
, Connecticut
, Delaware
, Pennsylvania
, Massachusetts
, Rhode Island
and New Hampshire
. It provides services to over two million Puerto Ricans. Established in 1930, this office is the oldest office of the Government of Puerto Rico in the mainland United States.
Over the last 70 years, the Government of Puerto Rico's regional office structure has evolved from providing guidance to Puerto Rican migrants, to promoting cultural awareness and helping the Puerto Rican community get involved in the political process. Today, the emphasis of the regional office is in three main areas: economic development through the promotion of business ventures between the Island and U.S. mainland communities; education, empowerment and leadership development through partnerships with community organizations.
Government of Puerto Rico
The Government of Puerto Rico is a republican form of government subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution...
before federal, state, and local governments, promotes the Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
's economic and public policy initiatives to achieve a better quality of life for the four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, and advises local government agencies and municipalities on issues of interest to Puerto Rico before the federal government.
As such, the Washington office is the primary liaison between Puerto Rico's officials, The White House, Congress, and the federal agencies. Additionally, the office interacts with national organizations representing Governors from other states, including the National Governors Association
National Governors Association
The National Governors Association , founded in 1908 as the National Governors' Conference, is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts and private contributions. NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories The National Governors Association...
and the Southern Governors' Association to advance Puerto Rico's interests.
The PRFAA's main office is at 1100 17th Street NW in Washington, DC.
PRFAA Washington, DC. Office Roles and Responsibilities
- Conveying and clarifying gubernatorial positions to Members of Congress and their staff, the White House, federal agencies, other state offices, and national organizations.
- Offering insight and interpretation of Puerto Rico's policies for Members of Congress and the federal executive branch.
- Serving as a primary focal point in the nation's capital for the governor, the governor's staff, and senior state officials.
- Providing status reports on federal initiatives and representing the island's priorities in Washington, D.C.
- Communicating with national, stateside, and specialty media on issues of importance to the governor and Puerto Rico.
- Serving as a point of contact for state citizens and businesses in their contacts with the Washington, D.C., community.
- Collaborate with the Resident CommissionerResident Commissioner of Puerto RicoThe Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years...
in Washington to assist in his/her duties.
PRFAA Regional Office (New York)
In addition to the Washington office which serves as the Government of Puerto Rico's primary liaison in the nation’s capital, PRFAA also has a Northeastern Regional Office, based in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. This office covers the Northeastern Corridor: New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. It provides services to over two million Puerto Ricans. Established in 1930, this office is the oldest office of the Government of Puerto Rico in the mainland United States.
Over the last 70 years, the Government of Puerto Rico's regional office structure has evolved from providing guidance to Puerto Rican migrants, to promoting cultural awareness and helping the Puerto Rican community get involved in the political process. Today, the emphasis of the regional office is in three main areas: economic development through the promotion of business ventures between the Island and U.S. mainland communities; education, empowerment and leadership development through partnerships with community organizations.
Past Executive Directors of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration
- Joaquín Márquez
- José A. CabranesJosé A. CabranesJosé Alberto Cabranes , is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Formerly a practicing lawyer, government official, and law teacher, he was the first Puerto Rican appointed to a federal judgeship in the continental United States .-Background:Cabranes was born in...
(1973 to 1975) - José Ortiz DalliotJosé Ortiz DalliotAttorney José Ortiz Dalliot is a former director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and a former member of the Senate of Puerto Rico....
- Wanda Rubianes
- Xavier RomeuXavier RomeuXavier Romeu is a counselor and litigator, with expertise in securities litigation and regulation, and corporate, commercial and employment litigation...
- Mari Carmen AponteMari Carmen AponteMari Carmen Aponte is a Washington DC-based Puerto Rico-born attorney who serves, due to a recess appointment by President Barack Obama, as ambassador to El Salvador.-Personal life:...
(2001 to 2004) - Eduardo BhatiaEduardo BhatiaEduardo Bhatia Gautier is a Puerto Rican politician and Senator. He is the current Minority Whip in the Senate of Puerto Rico for the Popular Democratic Party...
(2005 to 2008) - Flavio CumpianoFlavio CumpianoFlavio Cumpiano is the Congressional Liaison at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau . He was previously the Staff Director and Counsel of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit in the U.S...
(2008) - Richard Figueroa (2009)
- Nicole Guillemard current (2009-)