mr. pierre louisy. >> good morning, administrator. thank you again for meeting with me in february to go over the public safety crisis we're facing in puerto rico and the u.s. virgin islands. you, as much as any other federal official, have an intimate understanding of how serious this problem is. the number of drug-related homicide in puerto rico in recent years would be considered a national emergency if it were occurring in any state. that's not just my opinion. that's what senator rubio also stated during a hearing in december. since our meeting, there have been several important developments. first, the house approved a bill federal efforts along the southwest border have affected trafficking routes and crime rates in the caribbean, and that directs the attorney general to address these trends by allocated necessary resources to u.s. jurisdictions in the caribbean and reporting back on specific steps taken. second, about two weeks ago attorney general holder was sitting where you are now. i asked him why he would not be appropria