[Pages H231-H241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

{time} 1500
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO HAITI

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1021) expressing condolences to and
solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating
earthquake of January 12, 2010.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 1021

Whereas on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake
struck the country of Haiti;
Whereas according to the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) the earthquake epicenter was located approximately 10
miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince;
Whereas the earthquake has been followed by dangerous
aftershocks, including two of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude, and with
the most severe to date, at 6.1, coming on January 20, 2010;
Whereas casualty estimates, still being compiled, as well
as infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports,
hospitals, and residential dwellings, place this earthquake
as the worst cataclysm to hit Haiti in over two centuries;
Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 people have been directly
affected by the disaster in Haiti, nearly one-third of the
country's population, who are currently at risk of long-term
displacement and vulnerability;
Whereas the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
(MINUSTAH) headquarters collapsed with approximately 150
staff members inside, including the head of the mission, Hedi
Annabi, causing the largest loss of life in United Nations
history;
Whereas an unknown number of individuals remain trapped
under collapsed buildings, as rescue teams work around-the-
clock to locate and extract survivors;
Whereas the destruction of infrastructure, particularly to
the port, airport, roads, and telecommunications, continues
to hinder the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance
in Haiti;
Whereas Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in
the Western Hemisphere,

[[Page H232]]

and prior to the earthquake was ranked 149 out of 182
countries on the United Nations Human Development Index;
Whereas prior to the earthquake, Haiti was still in the
process of recovering from a ruinous recent series of
hurricanes and tropical storms, food shortages and rising
commodity prices, and political instability, but was showing
encouraging signs of improvement;
Whereas in addition to the pressure to secure communities
and prevent looters from causing further harm to their
citizens who are struggling to recover, Haiti's penitentiary
collapsed and spilled untold numbers of criminals into an
already disturbing security situation;
Whereas a number of children legally confirmed as orphans
are eligible for intercountry adoption, and the uncertain
welfare of children who are already in the process of being
adopted is of urgent concern to their prospective adoptive
parents in the United States;
Whereas it is in the interests of these orphans and their
prospective adoptive parents to facilitate and expedite legal
adoptions of Haitian orphans to the United States;
Whereas President Obama vowed the ``unwavering support'' of
the United States and pledged a ``swift, coordinated and
aggressive effort to save lives and support the recovery in
Haiti'';
Whereas the response to the tragedy from the global
community has been overwhelmingly positive;
Whereas the initial emergency response of the men and women
of the United States Government, led by the United States
Agency for International Development and United States
Southern Command, has been swift and resolute;
Whereas MINUSTAH peacekeepers, while still trying to rescue
their colleagues in their headquarters, have taken a leading
role to assist in clearing roads and providing security
around Port-au-Prince to facilitate aid into the earthquake
disaster zone;
Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Security
has temporarily halted the deportation of Haitian nationals
to Haiti in response to the devastation caused by the
earthquake;
Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Security
granted the designation of Temporary Protected Status for
Haitian nationals who are in the United States and unable to
return to their country due to the destruction and
humanitarian crisis in Haiti;
Whereas individuals, businesses, and philanthropic
organizations across the United States and throughout the
international community have responded in support of Haiti
and its populace during this time of crisis, sometimes in
innovative ways such as fundraising through text messaging;
Whereas throughout this terrible calamity, the Haitian
people continue to demonstrate unwavering resilience,
dignity, and courage; and
Whereas once proper surveys and assessments are conducted,
the initial and crucial emergency relief response will likely
move to a comprehensive mission requiring sustained
assistance from the United States and the international
community for reconstruction and development efforts: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy for the
horrific loss of life and the physical and psychological
damage caused by the earthquake of January 12, 2010;
(2) expresses solidarity with Haitians, Haitian Americans,
and all those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been
affected by the tragedy, including United States Embassy
personnel, United Nations peacekeepers, and humanitarian
workers;
(3) commends the efforts and honors the sacrifice of the
men and women of the Government of Haiti, the United States
Government, the United Nations, and the international
community in their immediate response to those affected by
this calamity;
(4) commends the efforts of the American people, including
the Haitian-American community, to provide relief to
families, friends, and unknown peoples suffering in the
country;
(5) supports the efforts of the Administration to provide
and coordinate international humanitarian assistance and to
provide relief to affected communities;
(6) expresses support for the recovery and long-term
reconstruction needs of Haiti;
(7) recognizes that the recovery and long-term needs of
Haiti will require a sustained commitment by the United
States and international community based on comprehensive
assessments of the development needs for Haiti;
(8) urges those who hold debt against Haiti, including the
Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary
Fund, and all other regional and international institutions
and countries, to immediately suspend further debt payments,
and to develop processes to cancel all remaining debt; and
(9) urges the President--
(A) to continue to make available to United States
agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private voluntary
organizations, regional institutions, and United Nations
agencies the resources necessary to confront the effects and
consequences of this natural disaster;
(B) to provide, when the emergency subsides, assistance in
partnership with the Government of Haiti and in coordination
with other donors to begin the reconstruction of Haiti;
(C) to undertake comprehensive assessments of the long-term
needs for recovery and development in Haiti, ensure
transparency and accountability, and lead coordination
efforts with international actors who share in the goal of a
better future for Haiti and are willing to support the costs
of meeting those needs; and
(D) to utilize new and innovative thinking in providing
long-term assistance to Haiti, including tapping into the
insight and immense potential of the Haitian Diaspora, to
help Haitians rebuild upon the strongest possible foundation,
in order to promote a stable and sustainable future for
Haiti.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

General Leave

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution
which expresses our deep condolences and solidarity with the people of
Haiti, and all of those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been
affected by the tragic earthquake of January 12, 2010.
Let me first thank our Speaker, Chairman Berman, Chairman Payne and
Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for helping to bring this resolution to the
floor today. Also I want to express my deep gratitude to our staffs for
working on this to make sure that the resolution came forward today. I
would also like to recognize my colleagues in the Congressional Black
Caucus.
The CBC has a long history of working with the Haitian people and the
Haitian American community and the Haitian Government. And many of us
have traveled to that country many, many times. During the current
crisis, the CBC has and will continue to work closely with the Obama
administration and outside organizations to provide whatever assistance
is needed for ongoing relief and recovery efforts. And I am very proud
of the fact that each and every member of the Congressional Black
Caucus has signed on as original cosponsors of this resolution.
More than a week has passed since the 7.0 earthquake. Again, many
aftershocks, just today another 6.1 aftershock, which has devastated
the country of Haiti. We have all seen the horrific images, and our
hearts are heavy for the Haitian people and all of those affected by
this tragedy. An estimated 3 million people have been directly affected
by this catastrophe, leaving over 1 million homeless, and many at risk
of long-term displacement and vulnerability.
The latest figures estimate 200,000 people may have been killed as a
result of this disaster. The massive number of casualties, as well as
the extensive infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports,
hospitals, residential dwellings, marks this earthquake as the worst
natural disaster to strike Haiti in over two centuries.
Currently, our government is engaged now in one of our largest
humanitarian relief efforts in our history. To date, USAID has provided
$100 million to Haiti for relief efforts, and more is likely on the
way. So I have to commend at this time the men and women of the
Government of Haiti, of our own government, of our Armed Services, the
United Nations, the international community, our NGOs, our neighbors in
the Caribbean and Latin America, and throughout the world in their
immediate response to assist those affected by this calamity.
We continue to work around the clock to provide as much food, water,
and emergency health care as possible under these unimaginable
circumstances. So it is important that these emergency supplies be
expedited, and not caught up in bureaucratic hurdles. The same goes for
many relief and rescue organizations trying to evacuate survivors for
emergency care. The red tape must be cut to save as many lives as
possible.

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Let me applaud the Haitian American community for providing relief to
family and friends and the entire country. Also I have to praise the
efforts of the American people at large, who have once again
demonstrated their compassion by providing aid to people they have
never met, never met, but who are suffering nonetheless just miles off
our shore.
This resolution summarizes the unfortunate facts that have occurred
in Haiti, but also, in addition to supporting the efforts of the
Haitian people and being in solidarity with the Haitian Government and
the Haitian people at this point during this rescue and recovery phase,
this resolution also recognizes, in a bipartisan way, support for the
recovery and long-term reconstruction of Haiti, and also recognizes
that the recovery and long-term needs of Haiti will require a sustained
commitment, mind you a sustained commitment by the United States and
the international community, based on a comprehensive strategy based on
what the Haitian people and the Government of Haiti have deemed
necessary and required for their full recovery and reconstruction.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today proudly as the lead Republican sponsor of
House Resolution 1021, expressing condolences to and solidarity with
the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake on
January 12, 2010. Last week Haiti was hit by the largest earthquake to
strike that Nation in over two centuries. Today Haiti was affected by a
6.1 magnitude quake or aftershock.
When the original quake hit last week, it was a day like any other.
With elections on the horizon, a sense of stability slowly starting to
be felt on the island, some believed that things were finally starting
to look up for Haiti. And then without a warning tens of thousands were
suddenly victims. Millions were left homeless, or hungry, or both.
Buildings collapsed, countless disappeared, and the world was left
asking how and why. The tremendous loss caused by this tragedy will
stay with us long after the roads have been cleared and the physical
wounds have healed.
My most sincere prayers and thoughts go to all who have been impacted
by this horrible catastrophe. The desolation left in its wake is beyond
words. And yet there is one thing that has been made clear. The people
of Haiti are not alone in this trouble. Since news of the earthquake
reached our shores, the American people have opened their hearts and
their wallets to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Both through the many
donations of money, food and water, volunteer work, and through the
U.S. agencies providing disaster relief assistance, our Nation has been
working around the clock to provide immediate help to all who have been
affected by this horrific tragedy.
U.S. Coast Guard aircraft began arriving almost immediately to
transport injured persons and conduct aerial assessments of the
situation on the ground. Coast Guard cutters with medical and other
humanitarian supplies arrived soon after, followed by our USAID
Disaster Assistance Response Team, multiple U.S. urban search and
rescue teams, including two from my area of Miami-Dade County, the 82nd
Airborne Division and Marine contingency, emergency medical teams and
food assistance, and of course the remarkable contributions made by
private U.S. citizens and corporations, totaling over $40 million as of
last week and still growing.
In addition, we have seen an outpouring of support from countries and
people around the world. Among many steps taken by countries around the
world, Israel sent a 220-person medical delegation and set up a much-
needed field hospital. The European Union has reportedly pledged 200
million euros to help rebuild Haiti, over and above emergency aid that
is already being sent by them. The British Government will triple its
aid to Haiti to $10 million.
Israel quickly set up a full-service field hospital, as I mentioned
before. But let me tell you, Madam Speaker, what it was equipped with:
operating rooms, an intensive care ward, a maternity ward, a pediatrics
ward, incubator units, a pharmacy, x-ray equipment, 10 tons of medical
equipment, 90 beds, 66 intensive care beds, two delivery beds,
approximately 250 personnel, including 40 doctors and specialists, 20
nurses, and several paramedics.
The search and rescue teams of the Israeli Defense Forces were also
quickly deployed to Haiti, and include about 30 operators, and dozens
of operations personnel, comprising logistics, information technology,
communications, and even canine units. More IDF delegations are
scheduled to depart to Haiti this very week.
As a result, this resolution importantly calls for certain
accountability measures to be put into place in order to ensure that
the support is delivered in a way that is immediate, that is targeted,
that is coordinated, and that is transparent.
Now more than ever it is critical that our assistance go where it is
supposed to go, when it is supposed to get there, and how it is
supposed to get there. We have a responsibility to the people we
represent and to the people we wish to help to ensure that the aid
reaches its intended recipients and is used for its intended purposes.
This is particularly important moving forward.
Again, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to all of those who are
impacted by this series of earthquakes, and I reiterate the pride I
feel as I look at how the American people, our constituents, have
responded to the cries of anguish and the cries for help of the Haitian
people.
Madam Speaker, with that I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield to my friend from
Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for the purpose of making a unanimous consent
request.
(Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank my colleague from California.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, expressing my
condolences on the situation in Haiti and praising Fairfax County's
urban search and rescue team that is in Haiti, 80-strong plus, and
having saved a number of lives already.
In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti,
the men and women of these highly skilled teams worked together in a
chaotic environment to save fifteen people (as of Tues. Jan 19).
On January 12, 2010--one day after the devastating earthquake that
struck Haiti--the men and women of Fairfax County's urban search and
rescue team, Virginia Task Force 1, deployed to Haiti.
The task force consisted of 72 personnel, 6 search and rescue
canines, and about 48 tons of rescue equipment and supplies. The team
rescued a United Nations security guard and assisted a French search
and rescue team in removing seven Americans from a hotel.
Two days after the earthquake, a second team of 42 men and women from
Fairfax County deployed to Haiti. Both Fairfax County urban search and
rescue teams merged and rescued a 21 year-old female who was trapped in
a multi-story building.
I commend the men and women of USAR Team 1 on their heroic effort,
mourn for those who lost their lives, and pray for those awaiting aid.
To the Fairfax team and all first responders in Haiti, I say ``Stay
Safe'' and ``Go with God.''
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield such
time as he may consume to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee
on Africa and Global Affairs, also the Chair of the Congressional Black
Caucus's International Affairs Task Force, a real leader who has worked
on Haiti all of his life, Congressman Donald Payne from New Jersey.
Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. And let me thank the Chairperson of
the Congressional Black Caucus for the outstanding job that she has
done in this whole effort, Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros-
Lehtinen, and all of those who have come to show their support and what
they have been doing up to now and what we intend to do in the future.
Madam Speaker, I rise to extend my deepest condolences to the people
of Haiti, Haitian Americans, and all of those who have been affected by
the earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12.
Words certainly cannot describe the pain and psychological trauma of
the tragedy and its cause, and there is no way that we can just
envision the tragic loss of life from this devastating 7.0 Richter
scale earthquake.

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The other thing about the earthquake is that it was only 6 miles
below the surface, which many earthquakes go as far as 100, 150 miles
down. So the trauma of this earthquake was just totally devastating.
Actually, we have had several aftershocks, a 5.9 and a 5.5. We had
another one today of 6.1 on the Richter scale. So this is far from
over.

{time} 1515

It has been estimated that over 3 million people have been directly
affected by the disaster in Haiti. Nearly one-third of the country's
population is at risk for long-term displacement and vulnerability, not
to forget the unknown numbers of individuals who remain trapped in
collapsed buildings.
I want to thank the rescue teams, the nongovernmental organizations,
and other emergency responders who are working around the clock to
locate and extract survivors. I certainly commend the efforts of the
humanitarian response that is currently underway, particularly the
efforts of all persons and relief organizations. Donors so far have
contributed over $220 million to this effort. And by simply texting on
phones, $22 million has been raised at $5 and $10 a clip. This is
really showing the great heart of the American people. Even today, the
Dominican Republic just announced $2.5 million that they are donating,
and as you know that is a country that struggles financially
themselves.
The disaster was a tremendous setback. Haiti was starting to move
into a new beginning, and we now will see many of the problems of high
food prices and food shortages that have been caused by this natural
disaster. We certainly need to really remain very committed to this
community at this very difficult time.
Haiti has a longstanding history with the United States. We heard the
charge today talk about Haiti and its relationship to the United
States. It fought for the independence of our country. It was
responsible for Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the United
States because they were cash-poor after the war that they lost. The
whole question of Lewis and Clark was able to move forward.
And so we are intertwined with Haiti. We have a great deal of
connection with Haiti. Once again, I would like to certainly praise the
chairperson of the CBC. And let me correct, the Democratic Republic of
Congo was the country that had recently made the contribution; even
more spectacular because of the tremendous problems that we have seen
there.
We wish to say to President Preval, who is doing everything that he
can, and the Haiti Government, that we will work as partners with them.
This is just the beginning. We are going to stay involved with them
until we see a completion of what they need.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to yield such time
as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), an
esteemed member of the Appropriations Committee.
Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentlewoman.
I wanted to rise in support of this resolution, but I also wanted to
commend those who are involved in the rescue effort and the
international communities, the governments, and the nongovernmental
organizations, as well as the private rescue teams who have been on the
ground.
I also want to give high marks to those people who had already been
down in Haiti. One of them is Pastor Freddie Hebron from Savannah,
Georgia, whose church has an ongoing missionary down there. Pastor
Hebron was actually unaccounted for for about 38 hours, and the
community was very concerned about him, but he is okay. He is still
down there, although communication with him is a little bit spotty.
We also had another group, Pastor Bowman with Islands Church of
Christ, who is down there led by Dr. John Rowlett and Dr. Brian
Kornblatt, 14 American citizens who were down there and located outside
of Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit. And yet from their area,
they started immediately dispensing medicine to the victims of the
earthquake, eventually ran out of medicine, and then were stuck in an
area isolated from the American Embassy, about 25 miles. They were able
to get let out of there on Saturday at somewhat great danger and peril
to them because at that point the street situation was beginning to
deteriorate, with gangs and mobs that were out there and a lot of
chaos. Richard Towns, who is a former marine, was one in their group
and was able to get inside the Embassy. Once they got near it, and
after a number of other obstacles, this group was able to return home
to Savannah, Georgia, on Saturday with lots of prayer.
However, sadly, we still have two constituents from my area of
Georgia who are unaccounted for; one is Courtney Hayes, who is a
college student with Lynn University. She is a native of Douglas,
Georgia. And another is a businessman named David Apperson, who is from
Adel, Georgia. Both of them were staying in the Hotel Montana. Hotel
Montana has suffered many losses. The rescue crew has brought out eight
people from Hotel Montana, but there are others who are believed to be
still trapped inside there.
In a conference call with the families yesterday we were told that
the search-and-rescue teams--and some are private, some are
international, and some are American; one of them is from Florida, one
is from Fairfax County, and one is from Los Angeles--they're doing
everything they can with scope cameras and listening devices and dogs
and so forth to try to find whatever cavities remain in this rubble and
focus on those areas where somebody could be trapped and surviving. The
cavity question is actually more important right now than food or
water, and so they're focusing on that.
A major concern of the families is what happens when the Government
of Haiti, which is what we were told yesterday, the Government of Haiti
decides that there is no point in further looking for survivors at the
Hotel Montana. What we're concerned about as Americans is that we
should make that decision, not the Haitian Government. I have written a
letter today to the President, along with Congressman Rooney and
Congressman Mica, who also have constituents in there, to not call off
that search because we believe it is very important that the American
Government do everything that it can for the Haitians and the other
international citizens, but also do everything we can foremost for
Americans who are down there who are unaccounted for.
So I would ask that formally of my colleagues--that Hotel Montana we
know has some American citizens trapped in there, we do not know their
condition, I hope that other Members of Congress will join me in
calling for that search to continue. I also would call on the
administration to do that, and commend the good work that they are
doing all around and realize the challenge ahead of them. But my
concern right now is the Hotel Montana. And I would ask for your
prayers for Courtney Hayes, a college student, and David Apperson, who
is a businessman from Georgia, who are both down there and still
unaccounted for.
With that, I commend you in support of this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. I would like to yield 1 minute now to our
majority leader, Representative Hoyer from the great State of Maryland.
Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and congratulate her
for her leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus and her service on
the Appropriations Committee, and for the focus that she brings to
making sure that we do not forget those who are less fortunate than we.
We all join together in expressing our sorrow over last week's
earthquake, which shattered the lives of so many of the people in
Haiti, and as has been mentioned, others who were visiting Haiti. I do
so fully knowing that no words we say here can rebuild a collapsed home
or heal the wounds of the living or bury the dead.
At times like these, we say words fail; they fail to capture the true
scope of devastation and suffering, and they fail to effect any change
for the better. Nevertheless, it is still important to express the
responsibility we feel to the 3 million Haitians killed, injured or
displaced by this disaster, the same responsibility we hope that others
would feel toward us in a time of need. That is why America is joining
with the

[[Page H235]]

international community, NGOs, and the United Nations to provide
disaster relief and aid in rebuilding. That is why President Obama has
pledged $100 million in disaster aid, and why American personnel are on
the scene saving lives and aiding in the recovery.
The Los Angeles Daily News reported this week on the California
firefighters whose backbreaking work gives us all something of which to
be proud. I quote from that article: They were bone weary from digging
through the rubble for 5 hours Sunday, losing faith fast. When the
cheering began, it was like a shot of adrenalin, ``USA, USA,'' the
large Haitian crowd standing in the street yelled as Los Angeles County
Fire Captain Bill Monahan and his search-dog rescue team finally freed
a young woman trapped under her collapsed hotel for 5 days. ``Bill said
it brought him to tears,'' said Debra Tosch, who is the executive
director of the Search Dog Foundation.
We know that there are stories of grief and loss to go alongside such
stories of hope. We know that Haiti's crisis goes far deeper than the
earthquake. But we also know that when our words fail in the face of a
tragedy of this scope, it is our responsibility and our honor and our
moral duty to act.
I urge the House to pass this resolution. I urge the Obama
administration to give its urgent attention to coordinating and
overseeing America's part in the relief effort. And then, when some
degree of civility and stability has returned to that country, let us
not forget that the road ahead will be long and difficult, but it is a
necessary one if the Haitian people are to return to a life which will
give them the kinds of opportunities and stability that we wish for
ourselves.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank and applaud the American people
for the generosity and the compassion they have shown in the wake of
this horrific tragedy. According to our State Department, the American
Red Cross effort has received over 2 million contributors and raised
over $23 million so far. In addition, we continue to see admirable
contributions from many American corporations and businesses. My own
district of Miami, Florida, has sent two urban search-and-rescue teams
to Haiti and has pledged $60,000 to relief efforts. The Port of Miami
and Miami International Airport are waiving certain fees for relief-
related efforts. Also, several other assets from south Florida are also
being utilized, including U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, which is
serving as the operation center for the U.S. response in Haiti. Coast
Guard Key West and Coast Guard Miami Beach, also Homestead Air Reserve
Base, a departure point for the C-130s that are carrying relief,
supplies, and personnel to Haiti, are playing an important role in this
relief effort.
And just today, the USNS Comfort received its first Haitian patients,
a 6-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man. They were flown via helicopter
to the hospital ship. This is a nearly 900-foot floating hospital. The
Comfort is reported to be carrying about 550 medical staff and about 60
civilian mariners.
So the American people have opened up their hearts and their wallets
to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti. As a people and as a Nation, the
United States will continue to move hand in hand with the people of
Haiti to swiftly respond to and recover from this tragedy.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. I would like to now yield 1 minute to our
great Speaker from the State of California, Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

{time} 1530

Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentlewoman, Congresswoman Lee, for her
leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor as Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus and as a leader on this issue as well.
To Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, ranking member on the Foreign
Relations Committee, once again, thank you for your leadership.
Donald Payne, our leader--my goodness, what a conscience he is and
has been on this subject for a very long time and, really, for the
alleviation of poverty and the eradication of disease throughout the
world.
Madam Speaker, obviously the thoughts and prayers of this entire
Congress are with the people of Haiti, who are suffering from a
devastating earthquake that hit their country on January 12. Members of
Congress are committed to helping the Haitian people recover from this
tragedy and to rebuild their homes, communities and lives in the days,
weeks and years to come.
Again, I thank Congresswoman Lee, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, and
Congressman Payne for their leadership today and throughout the years
in support of the people of Haiti.
It is a source of pride to the Americans that when President Obama
spoke about this subject, he said to the Haitian people, ``You will not
be forsaken. You will not be forgotten.''
What a beautiful sentiment reflecting the values of our country, the
concern of the President, personally, that he had for the people of
Haiti, the leadership he provided as Commander in Chief to deploy the
forces necessary to help bring order there, and as President of the
United States to speak with heads of state from other countries to
coordinate the effort of relief for Haiti.
We are still learning the staggering extent of the devastation. The
Government of Haiti estimates the death toll is close to 200,000
souls--200,000 people made in the image and likeness of God, 200,000
people whose families have been devastated by this loss. It's just such
a staggering snuffing out of life, and more than 1.5 million people
homeless.
Anyone who has ever visited Haiti has seen the extreme poverty there,
the poorest country in this hemisphere; but with the poverty that they
have economically and with the hope that they have otherwise, anyone
who has visited there can testify to the fact that the sparkle in their
eyes and their hopes for the future and their love of their children
and their love of life is very special. It stands out.
I've been to many countries to visit the poor and to see what our
efforts nationally and globally are to alleviate poverty and eradicate
disease; and in Haiti you see a sparkle that is so special, and that's
why this seems so very, very sad. We know for certain that too many
Haitians are suffering right now. Far too many are injured and hungry.
Far too many grieve the loss of loved ones.
Again, I am proud of the swift coordinated response that the
President had. He extended TPS, at long last, temporary protection
status. We've been asking for that for a long time, long before
President Obama was President, for Haitians living in the U.S., and it
ensures that no one will be sent back against their will to the
devastation. I talked earlier about the President's leadership in this
regard. At this tragic time, we can take steps right away to ensure a
brighter future for Haiti.
I do believe, as one who comes from earthquake country--California,
where we've experienced earthquakes; right, Congresswoman?--that there
is a possibility that Haiti can leapfrog over all the physical
devastation there to an economy and a future that is so very bright
that this can create a boom economy for the people there and make a big
difference in their lives. This can only happen if we all help.
Already today, the House has passed bipartisan charitable tax
deduction legislation to encourage and incentivize assistance from the
American people to the people of Haiti. I hope the Senate will soon
follow and send this bill to the President's desk.
Next, the International Development Bank should move forward with
full debt cancellation for Haiti. International institutions should be
removing obstacles to Haiti's enormous long-term reconstruction
challenges, including providing the new assistance in the form of
grants and not loans.
Third, I will be asking the appropriate committees to work together
with the administration and the Haitian Government to see how Congress
can support long-term sustainable development plans for Haiti; and
aren't we fortunate that Congresswoman Lee serves on one of those
appropriate committees, and the chairwoman is here, Congresswoman
Lowey, of the subcommittee that is so important to this.
A compassionate and generous response from the United States is
essential to stabilizing Haiti. While there has been a strong initial
response to

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the crisis, there must be an initiative to provide sustainable
assistance that empowers Haiti's institutions and the Haitian people to
build a future that is better than the past.
We value the strong relationship between Haiti and the United States.
Our countries share a long and difficult history in some respects, but
that binds us together. Wherever Haiti immigrants have settled, they
have thrived, and they have contributed to the welfare and the well-
being of their new home country, never forgetting their Haitian legacy.
We know about the artistic genius and entrepreneurial spirit of the
Haitian people--Michael Jong, are you listening?--as so many others.
They will succeed if they are only given the opportunity. Today, with
this resolution, we are saying to the Haitian people: In your hour of
greatest need, America stands with you.
Again, I thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership on this important
issue and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen as well.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Chair
of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on The Western Hemisphere, the
gentleman from New York, Chairman Engel.
Mr. ENGEL. I thank my friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Lee), for yielding to me.
Madam Speaker, as chairman of The Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I rise in strong support of H.
Con. Res. 1021, which expresses condolences to and solidarity with the
people of Haiti in the aftermath of the horrific and devastating
earthquake of January 12.
It is with great sorrow that we come to the floor today to lament the
catastrophic blow to Haiti from last week's natural disaster. Tens, if
not hundreds, of thousands of people have died; and hundreds of
thousands are homeless in the wake of the earthquake. Our hearts go out
to the Haitian people as they cope with the calamity that has befallen
their nation.
While we mourn the great loss of life in Haiti, we must resolve to
stand with the Haitian people as they rebuild their lives. Due to my
long experience with Haiti from hearings in my subcommittee, visiting
the country and, most importantly, my relationship with my Haitian
American constituents--I have a large Haitian American community in my
district in Spring Valley, New York--I know that Haiti will overcome
this tremendous adversity.
However, Haiti and its people will need U.S. and international help
for the foreseeable future. It is reassuring to see that the Obama
administration has quickly marshaled the resources of the U.S.
Government in coordination with the international community.
I thank President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their tireless
efforts.
It is also important to recognize the generosity of millions of
private American citizens who have responded immediately to this
crisis, and we must thank the dedicated U.S. military and government
personnel and the thousands of NGO volunteers and staff for their truly
valiant efforts.
We should also remember that the challenges faced by Haiti will
continue past this immediate period and will extend into the long term.
The U.S. and global community will need to offer robust assistance to
make sure Haiti can rebuild from this shocking disaster.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to praise President Obama's decision
to grant temporary protection status, or TPS, to Haitian nationals
living in the U.S. Representative Rangel and I led the New York
congressional delegation in writing to President Obama in support of
this TPS designation.
On behalf of my constituents and Haitian Americans around the
country, I offer my gratitude to the President, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same in supporting this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Before recognizing the next speaker, I yield
to my friend, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), for the
purpose of making a unanimous consent request.
(Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise to voice my condolences and
pledge to stand in solidarity with Haiti.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution and to express
my sincere condolences to the Haitian people and to their friends and
family around the world, including Haitian-Americans living in my
district. Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with them on
ways to improve the live of Haitians, and I know we will continue that
work together.
Last week's 7.0-magnitude earthquake was an almost unimaginable
tragedy for Haiti. The capital city was flattened, tens of thousands of
people were killed, and countless others lost what few possessions they
had as homes, business, and schools crumbled.
I have traveled to Haiti several times, most recently last spring,
and I am always struck by the incredible resilience of the Haitian
people in the face of extreme poverty and devastating natural
disasters. Still, this most recent tragedy is absolutely heartbreaking,
particularly at a time when glimmers of light were beginning to appear
for Haiti's future.
Emergency assistance in the coming days, weeks, and months will be
critical. Earthquake survivors desperately need food, water, and
medicine. But that cannot be the end of the story. Even before the
earthquake, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere,
with 80 percent of the population living on less than $2 per day. In
recent years Haiti has weathered serious food riots after rising prices
forced parents to feed mudcakes to their children, as well as a series
of devastating storms.
So long as Haiti remains a country without a viable economy, it will
remain dependent on assistance. We must continue to work to make sure
that food, water, and medicine reach those who desperately need it
right now, but, in the months and years ahead, we also need to work to
bring real economic development to Haiti.
Madam Speaker, I extend my sincere condolences to the people of
Haiti, and I join with my colleagues and the Obama administration in
pledging U.S. support in the days, months, and years ahead.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member of
the Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Watson).
Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I stand proudly with my colleagues in
supporting H. Res. 1021, which extends our heartfelt condolences and
support for the people of Haiti and for those who are there serving
humanitarian relief.
This is an opportunity for us, in the midst of all this tragedy, to
address one of the poorest nations in the world, and it is located in
the Western Hemisphere. It is time for us not only to meet the emergent
needs but to fulfill our commitment to this country from now on in
perpetuity.
So I commend the speedy work of the Congressional Black Caucus, of
all of the Members of this House, and of those on the other side of the
aisle for addressing these needs and for collaborating with the world
to bring the kind of relief that is needed for our neighbor to the
south. Congratulations.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also Chair of the Homeland
Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure
Protection, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I thank the chairwoman very much, and I
thank her for her leadership on this issue, joined with the chairman of
the full committee and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Chairman Berman; the Congressional
Black Caucus; and so many Members who have issued their outpouring of
support. I thank Chairman Payne for his continued efforts, and I thank
all of the Members who have sizable populations of Haitians in their
districts.
There is a very active Haitian American population in Houston, Texas.
We have been working. We have been pouring out our hearts, but we've
also rolled up our sleeves. I believe there are several issues, as we
support this resolution, that should be focused on.
One, we must have a long-term response, a Marshall Plan, in essence,
to help rebuild Haiti. Two, we must deal

[[Page H237]]

with the immediate crisis, emergency, loss of life, loss of loved ones,
the ability to have medical care, and, yes, protecting our offerings.
So my community met on this past Saturday with the county government,
the State government, the city government, Mayor Annise Parker and her
representatives, the fire department, and our National and Texas
Reserve, committing ourselves the resources and assets to be able to be
of assistance. I was delighted to have been able to send from Texas two
plane-loads of doctors, nurses and medical supplies, led by Dr. Richard
Toussaint, where this past weekend they were able to do 150 surgeries
and 600 visits.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 10
seconds.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Moving forward, we will focus on relief
efforts for the children, providing more medical care and, yes,
insisting on making sure that we rebuild this great city and this great
nation. We can do this. We are standing by their side. We will not
leave them alone.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1021--``Expressing
Condolences to and Solidarity with the People of Haiti in the aftermath
of the devastating Earthquake of January 12th, 2010.''
As you know, on Tuesday, January 12th, a massive, 7.0 magnitude
earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince. There is
still no official estimate of death or destruction but the damage to
buildings is extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated
to be in the hundreds of thousands.
Haiti sits on a large fault that has caused catastrophic quakes in
the past, but this one was described as among the most powerful to hit
the region within the last 200 years. With many poor residents living
in tin-roof shacks that sit precariously on steep ravines and with much
of the construction in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in the country of
questionable quality, the expectation was that the quake caused major
damage to buildings and significant loss of life.
The dimensions of the disaster are still unfolding, but Haiti's Prime
Minister Jean-Max Bellerive told CNN that he believes there are well
over 100,000 dead, and leading senator Youri Latortue estimated the
number at possibly as high as 500,000, according the Associated Press.
America is responding, and will continue to respond with immediate
humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island
nation rebuild their livelihoods. I send my condolences to the people
and government of Haiti as they grieve once again in the aftermath of a
natural disaster. As Haiti's neighbor, I believe it is the United
States' responsibility to help Haiti recover, and build the capacity to
mitigate against future disasters.
America and her allies have already initiated a comprehensive,
interagency response to the earthquake. The State Department,
Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard,
USAID--all worked overnight to ensure critical resources were
positioned to support the response and recovery effort, including
efforts to find and assist American citizens in Haiti.
Within days of last week's devastating earthquake, U.S. Southern
Command deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief
efforts in the aftermath of one of the largest natural disasters in the
western hemisphere. The team included U.S. military engineers,
operational planners, and a command and control group and communication
specialists arriving on two C-130 Hercules aircraft. Since, there has
been a tremendous interagency response with support and partnering with
U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, United Nations and
international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow-
on U.S. military support.
Our friends in the international community must also be commended for
their efforts. The United Nations is releasing $10 million from its
emergency funds. The European Commission has approved C3 million ($4.37
million) with more funds likely. Countless other nations from Germany,
to China, to Israel to Mexico to have also pledged support. I commend
each of these nations for coming to our neighboring nation in dire need
of assistance.
Many of my constituents have asked what they can do to help, or how
they can find their loved ones. Those who are interested in helping
immediately can text `HAITI' to `90999' and a donation of $10 will be
made automatically to the Red Cross for relief efforts. The donation
will be charged to your cell phone bill.
The outpouring of support and funding from the American people was
both instant and sustained. According to the Washington Post, the text
messaging effort raised $5 million in its first day, breaking the
previous one-day record of about $450,000. Text-message donations
continue to play a larger-than-expected role in the push for earthquake
relief in Haiti. As of late Sunday, the American Red Cross said that it
had collected pledges of about $103 million, including $22 million
through the text donation program. Each donor should be proud of their
contribution to help their brothers and sisters in Haiti.
Financially, 2009 was not an easy year for many Americans. Although
thousands of jobs were created and we are back on the road to economic
recovery, Americans lived on tighter budgets than usual. This
legislation passed today will allow those Americans who have generously
donated money to Haiti to receive their tax break this year instead of
next year.
In January of 2005, Congress enacted this type of relief for
individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian
Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R.
241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without
objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. I
hope that this legislation, like our response to the 2004 tsunami, will
encourage Americans to contribute more money to Haiti. As Haiti starts
on its long recovery, every dollar is critically important. Americans
have responded in great numbers, and I am proud to represent such a
compassionate and generous nation.
Americans are not only giving their money, they are also giving their
time and expertise as well. This weekend, I arranged for a team of
seven doctors, six nurses, two techs, and two search and rescue
volunteers to fly to Haiti and provide immediate humanitarian support.
This team led by Dr. Richard Toussaint from Forest Park Medical Center
in Dallas Texas arrived in Haiti just after noon on Saturday. From
there, the doctors made their way to Hospital Sacre-Couer where, in
roughly two days, they performed about 70 amputations, surgically
treated about 150 patients, and saw about 600 patients total. I commend
this team of medical personnel for their selfless actions and
willingness to spend their own time and money to come to the aid of
people they had never met.
Additionally, I hosted a Houston-based Haiti relief effort called
``Texans helping Haitians'' with city leadership and the Haitian
community in the aftermath of this horrible disaster. Groups included
in the effort to provide supplies and medical assistance to Haiti were:
Texas Medical Center, Texas Dental Association, Search and Rescue
Organizations, the Haitian Multicultural Association, Haitian Caribbean
Organization of Texas, Caribbean Impact Foundation, and Haiti Counts.
We also helped coordinate the safe return of six Houston Rotarians
that were stranded in the mountains and we are now working with Office
of Foreign Disaster Assistance on the transport of orphans to awaiting
families here in the U.S.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have been highly involved in
strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Haiti. I have
worked to establish positive and productive partnerships with local
development officials, non-profit organizations, and the Haitian
Diaspora to establish a strong web of support for the nation of Haiti.
In collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus, I have been a
continual advocate of providing assistance to Haiti to strengthen their
fragile democratic processes, continue to improve security, and promote
economic development among other concerns such the protection of human
rights, combating narcotics, arms, and human trafficking, addressing
Haitian migration, and alleviating poverty.
Last year, I introduced H.R. 264, the ``Save Immigration
Comprehensive Act of 2009.'' Among other things, this act authorizes
adjustment of status for certain nationals or citizens of Haiti as well
as amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1)
waive document fraud as a ground of inadmissibility; and (2) address
determinations with respect to children. In the wake of last week's
earthquake, I am happy to see that the Obama Administration decided to
extend temporary protection status to Haitians facing deportation.
Once again, I am devastated by the immeasurable tragedy that occurred
in Haiti. Along with my colleagues, I hope to visit Haiti in the near
future to meet with their leaders and see what the United States can do
to rebuild the shattered livelihoods.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Chair
of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House
Resolution 1021, with appreciation for the leadership of Barbara Lee, a
member of my committee; Donald Payne; and sincere condolences for the
victims of last Tuesday's tragic earthquake and continuing aftershocks.
Yet another

[[Page H238]]

natural disaster has devastated this country and its people. My deep
sympathy and prayers are with the people of Haiti and all those who
have lost loved ones.
As the resolution notes, the U.S. Government and the American people
stand in solidarity with the Haitian people and are committed to
helping them in this great time of need. The intense challenges of
delivering humanitarian relief are compounded in Haiti by weak
infrastructure and government institutions that cannot provide the
necessary support for relief.
I commend the swift response by the Obama administration, especially
USAID, the State Department, HHS, the Department of Defense, as well as
the international community, to quickly mobilize humanitarian and
disaster relief in a complex humanitarian disaster.
I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of many, many other
countries; and I want to particularly commend Israel for its immediate
response with search and rescue teams, fully equipped hospitals and
doctors, Doctors Without Borders, and thousands of NGOs.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30
seconds.
Mrs. LOWEY. Lastly, in addition to the thousands of NGOs, I want to
commend a group started by Danielle Butin in my district that has been
collecting medical supplies and shipping containers daily with the help
of many, many volunteers. This is a job for all of us, and I am very,
very pleased that there are so many governments and individuals who are
working to relieve this terrible, terrible effect of the disaster.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, before I recognize my next
speaker, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis),
for the purpose of making a unanimous consent request.
(Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 1021, expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of
Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12,
2010.
Madam Speaker, Americans are deeply saddened by the tremendous damage
and loss of life caused by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January
12th.
The earthquake was truly a devastating natural disaster. There are
enormous needs in Haiti. Authorities say that the earthquake may have
killed 200,000 people. Three million people in Haiti need food, water,
shelter, and medical assistance, according to an estimate given by the
United Nations.
Tens of thousands of people sleep in the streets or under plastic
sheets in makeshift camps. The spread of disease has become a major
concern in Haiti. Tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by
the earthquake.
I join with my colleagues in expressing the sympathies of the
Congress, recognizing the long-term need for American assistance, and
urging the President to adopt multiple approaches to assisting those
affected by this tragedy now and in the future.
It is important to have the federal government participate in the
broad, international relief effort. Action by the federal government
demonstrates leadership from the highest level of government in helping
meet the deep need for humanitarian aid.
Booker T. Washington captured well the importance of assisting people
in need when he said, ``The highest test of the civilization of any
race is in its willingness to extend a helping hand to the less
fortunate.''
I am very proud that the American response to the Haitian tragedy is
not limited to our government. Individuals, businesses, and
philanthropic organizations have joined with our global colleague to
respond to this tragedy.
During this time of extreme difficulty in Haiti, charities have
raised more than $210 million in donations for Haiti earthquake relief.
A campaign using text messages brought in over $21 million for the Red
Cross for relief efforts.
In Chicago, I know that many churches, especially the Church of God
in Christ, are rising to meet the tremendous needs of the people
affected by the Haitian tragedy. The international community has come
together to assist Haiti by sending emergency funds, search and rescue
teams, food and water, and medical teams.
I want to emphasize that this resolution recognizes that Haiti's
needs will be great, both in the short-term and the long-term. I
believe that Americans and our government will rise to help meet these
immediate and future challenges.
The people of Haiti and the United States have a long and complex
relationship dating back to pre-slavery days. Our cultures, and our
respective economic histories and destinies, are deeply intertwined. It
is natural and just for our nation to take the lead in extending a hand
of immediate relief to the people of Haiti in the aftermath of this
horrific disaster and ultimately a hand in rebuilding their shattered
nation so that the Haitian people can join with the developed nations
of the world in a 21st century standard of living and security.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member of
the Committee on Natural Resources, who is the second vice Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands
(Mrs. Christensen).

{time} 1545

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, in this time of sadness and tragedy
for the people of Haiti and all of us who are their friends, I rise in
support of Resolution 1021, expressing our condolences and solidarity
with the people of Haiti and their families throughout the diaspora,
and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands join me on these sentiments.
On Martin Luther King Day, I joined some of our clergy in leading a
prayer vigil for the people of Haiti, and I am proud to report on the
funding that has been sent in, to report that the Haiti community
support and teams of doctors and nurses from my district began a
rotation of medical supplies immediately following the quake.
On Monday, a ship normally stationed at HOVENSA, the oil refinery on
St. Croix, was commissioned to Port-au-Prince, and left, carrying
supplies from several organizations including Rotary, Hispanos Unidos,
and a group led by Haitian American Virgin Islander Andre McBean. We
thank them and the Haitian American organization in St. Thomas led by
Oskar Lalanne, Hans Oriol, and Gerard Bateau, who have also sent
supplies and provided aid on the ground, including the assembling of
creole speaking interpreters who are so needed during this disaster.
Today, with this resolution we signal the commitment of this Congress
and the people of the United States to standing with Haiti----
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15
seconds.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Not just now, during the immediate response, but
for what will be a long and difficult recovery.
I thank our chairwoman, Barbara Lee, for introducing the resolution
and all of the Congressional Black Caucus and others for their
leadership in support of Haiti, both before and since January 12.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes of
my time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE of California. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from
Florida for yielding and also for her strong support and her assistance
with this resolution.
Let me now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New York, a
member of the Committee on Small Business, who also serves as an
officer of the whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, hails from the
Caribbean, a leader on so many issues, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
Ms. CLARKE. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for bringing us together,
along with the ranking member, for this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my heartfelt condolences and
in support of the Haitian people, the Haitian American community in the
United States and the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, and ask my
colleagues to support Resolution 1021.
As the representative of the second largest Haitian American
population in the United States, this crisis has truly and literally
hit home. My office has been inundated and overwhelmed with

[[Page H239]]

constituents calling, earnestly trying to find their loved ones. Many
of them are hoping family members are still alive and safe, despite the
many images of destruction they see in the media.
The situation on the ground remains unstable. Lives still hang in the
balance, and a speedy and coordinated action is needed to maximize the
recovery effort and to mitigate the loss of life.
With this resolution, we are sending a unified message to the Haitian
people that we stand with them as they mourn the loss of their loved
ones and prepare to rebuild their nation. This resolution lets the
whole world know that Haiti is as much a part of us as we are a part of
them.
Over the last week, the American people have been pouring out their
hearts to the nation. I would like to commend our people, the U.S.
military, Coast Guard, search and rescue teams, humanitarian NGOs, for
all of their work. I would like to recognize the swift response from
the Obama administration in providing immediate investment and thank
them.
Ms. LEE of California. I now yield 2 minutes to the Chair of the
Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, a
leader on so many issues who has been involved with Haiti since I have
known her, and that has been since the 1970s, who has led the charge
for debt relief, Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Ms. WATERS. I would like to thank my good friend, the chairperson of
the Congressional Black Caucus and a friend of Haiti's who has been
working on behalf of Haiti for many years, Barbara Lee.
I rise to support this resolution, which expresses the condolences of
the House of Representatives with the people of Haiti following last
week's devastating earthquake. I especially appreciate the fact that
this resolution urges multilateral financial institutions to
immediately suspend further debt payment from Haiti and to develop
processes to cancel all of Haiti's remaining debt.
Haiti cannot begin to recover from the earthquake while continuing to
make payments on debts owed to multilateral financial institutions like
the IMF, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Even
before the earthquake occurred, debt payments were a tremendous burden
that interfered with the ability of Haiti's Government to meet the
needs of its people.
Haiti worked very hard over the past several years to qualify for
debt relief. In order to qualify, the Government of Haiti successfully
developed and implemented a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy
Paper under the direction of the IMF and the World Bank. As a result,
multilateral financial institutions provided Haiti $1.2 billion in debt
relief last June. Nevertheless, Haiti still owes a total of $664
million in debt to multilateral financial institutions.
The IMF offered Haiti a new $100 million loan for earthquake recovery
efforts. Unfortunately, new loans that will add to Haiti's debt burden
are not what Haiti needs at this critical time. I was encouraged to
learn that IMF managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, expressed
support for canceling all of Haiti's debt, including the new loan, and
I look forward to working with him to do so.
On behalf of the Black Caucus, I am introducing legislation to
require the United States Secretary of the Treasury to use the voice,
vote, and influence of the United States within the multilateral
financial institutions to cancel all of Haiti's remaining debt, and I
hope all of my colleagues will support it. Canceling Haiti's debts will
free up the country's meager resources, allowing it to begin meeting
its immediate and long-term needs.
Again, I would like to thank my good friend and leader, Barbara Lee,
for introducing this legislation.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to
the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, a member of our House Foreign
Affairs Committee.
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida
for yielding.
When this situation occurred in Haiti, when the earthquake came
through and devastated the land, the buildings, and the lives of the
people, there were over 30,000 Americans in Haiti at the time. Many of
these Americans were there as volunteers to help this struggling
nation. They were from churches throughout the United States. They were
young people, civic organizations already there helping this struggling
nation.
One group particularly, from my hometown of Houston, a group of
Rotarians, had just gotten there to work in two places. They were going
to work in the hospitals, to make the hospitals better and more
convenient and more efficient, and they were also there to dig water
wells for the Haitian people. And all of these people that were there
from America, most of them, were volunteers.
It has been said that government can never replace a volunteer, and
that is true. Americans are the most giving people on Earth, and they
were helping Haiti. And I suspect Americans will go and help Haiti
again, to volunteer, all of these civic religious organizations. And
that is a good thing, because that is what we do in America. We help
other people. We help our own people, and we help foreign nations and
their people as well, because America in the time of crisis responds.
So I commend the Americans that are working, along with the NGOs and
the officials of our government and other governments, in this
struggling time to help the people of Haiti get their lives back
together so that they can once again be a productive nation in the
community of countries.
Ms. LEE of California. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my colleague and
friend from California (Mr. Schiff), a member of the Appropriations
Committee.
Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I join my colleague from California (Ms.
Lee) in expressing my profound sorrow at the tragedy that has been
visited upon the people of Haiti.
Even now, a week after the earthquake that shattered Port-au-Prince
and much of the surrounding area, rescuers are still pulling survivors
from the rubble, including a 15-day-old baby girl who was pulled from
her home, destroyed, yesterday, after 7 days without food and water.
Happily, the baby has been reunited with her mother, who told the Wall
Street Journal that her daughter's survival was ``the mercy of God.''
Hours later, 69-year-old Anna Zizi was dragged singing from the rubble
of the Roman Catholic cathedral of Port-au-Prince, while Hotteline
Lozama, age 25, was pulled from the ruins of a shopping center.
But, despite these miracles, the horror is overwhelming. Current
estimates place the death toll at 200,000, and more than 1.5 million
Haitians have been made homeless as a result of the earthquake. Major
aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.1 tremor this morning, have
hampered rescue efforts and kept survivors in a state of near panic.
The extent of the damage and totality of the need have overwhelmed
the massive international aid effort that is racing to get food and
water to more than 3 million people. Even as U.N. reinforcements and
additional U.S. military and civilian assets scramble to the stricken
island, an estimated 20,000 people a day are dying, most from lack of
adequate medical care.
There is an unfortunate familiarity to the images that have been
broadcast around the world in the aftermath of this tragedy: the
pleading eyes, the fear, and the sorrow mixed with stoicism. We have
seen them before in New Orleans after Katrina, in Southeast Asia after
the tsunami, in Pakistan after the earthquake there, and the aftermath
of countless other disasters.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentleman 20 additional seconds.
Mr. SCHIFF. But even though the scenes are familiar and unsettling,
we cannot turn away and we must not shirk our obligation to aid our
neighbor in her hour of need. I urge the President to continue to press
for faster deployment of aid and reconstruction personnel.
I thank my colleague for her leadership and her support of the
resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from
California (Ms. Lee) for the bipartisan approach to this terrible,
terrible situation.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time.

[[Page H240]]

Ms. LEE of California. Before I close, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my
friend from New Jersey, Chair of the African Global Health
Subcommittee, Chairman Payne.
Mr. PAYNE. Let me, once again, express our deep appreciation for the
outcry of Members of this legislative body on both sides of the aisle.
We have heard of the great work done by many of the countries
mentioned. We have heard about the heroism and the heroic efforts of
many of the people. We have seen isolated shots of some violence and
disorder, but let me say that this is just a very small sliver of what
is happening in Haiti. Most of the people are waiting patiently. Most
of the people are orderly.
It is amazing, the resilience of the Haitian people from these
overwhelming obstacles, that 99 percent of the people are just trying
to make it through. So we need to engage with the government. We need
to assist them as they start to recover politically and governmentally.
In addition to restoring the city, we need to take a look at perhaps
a new city outside of Port-au-Prince, a city built for 50,000 people
that has 2 million people. Can you imagine that? So this may be a way
that we can have a planned approach. We have great colleges. Columbia
University has the Earth Institute, and we would hope to try to
encourage those groups to come in.
With that, let me commend our chairperson once again.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me thank all of the Members
today for coming down to the floor in support of this resolution but,
more importantly, in support of the people of Haiti.
I end by calling on all my colleagues to join me in supporting this
measure to express our deepest condolences, our steadfast solidarity,
and our sustained commitment to the people of Haiti in the wake of this
ongoing tragedy.

{time} 1600

As we move forward, let us not waiver in saying to the people of
Haiti: Your resilience, your dignity, your courage, even during your
darkest hour, continues to inspire us. And during your darkest hour,
the United States, and the American people, will not abandon you as you
continue to struggle for a brighter tomorrow.
I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the struggles of
the Haitian people in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake that
hit the island nation on January 12, 2010. The images of the aftermath
of the earthquake are startling and sobering reminders of the power of
nature and of our obligation as human beings to assist those who are
less fortunate.
In the short term, Haiti's emergency needs are overwhelming. Even
with the death and casualty toll estimates still coming in, we know
that there is an urgent need for food, medicines, water, emergency
shelter, and equipment. The immediate response from our citizens has
been gratifying. Within 24 hours following the quake, we saw Americans
from a cross section of society--from elected officials in Washington
to everyday residents all over New York City--reach out and offer
assistance.
The Obama Administration, for its part, has pledged its full support
for rescue and humanitarian assistance. I applaud President Obama's
decision to pledge $100 million in relief aid. It is clear that there
will be an even greater need for a long-term commitment to rebuild the
nation's infrastructure, and to provide educational, security, and
economic assistance. As the leader in our hemisphere and Haiti's most
important political partner, the United States should lead the way in
supporting these efforts.
There will come a time when the people of Haiti are no longer
headlines in the media; and yet they will still be in desperate need of
help from the international community. It is at this time that we must
pull together and unite to help the citizens of Haiti rebuild their
country. Similar to a national public works program, the building and
repairing of roads and bridges, schools, hospitals and health care
clinics, and the undertaking of massive reforestation should create
much needed jobs for Haitians.
I would also like to thank President Obama and Secretary Napolitano
for granting the thousands of Haitian nationals in America with
Temporary Protective Status. This humanitarian gesture will allow our
Haitian brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends, many of whom have
been among us for several years, to remain here, work hard, and
contribute to the efforts of rebuilding their homeland while in
America.
Haiti has been a long-time friend and ally of the United States, and
now it is our turn to exercise our friendship in their time of need.
Madam Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues in joining me to
dedicate our efforts, and commit ourselves to supporting, the long-
suffering Haitian people, now and into the future.
Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and
extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Haiti, and to their
worried and grieving loved ones around the world, after the tragic
earthquake that devastated so much of the nation last Tuesday. It is
heartbreaking that a country that has suffered through so much in its
history now must endure this unimaginable disaster. My thoughts and
prayers also go out to the injured and missing Americans, Haitian-
Americans with families impacted by this tragedy, and families and
colleagues of the United Nations personnel who lost their lives.
I would also like to applaud President Obama's quick action in
sending civilian and military personnel and humanitarian resources to
help in rescue and recovery, and am ready to work with my colleagues in
Congress to support the Administration's efforts. I call on all
Americans to continue to show their support for the people of Haiti,
whether by contributing to the Red Cross or other charitable
organizations operating in Haiti, or offering products or services that
may be needed.
In times of terrible suffering, the world community comes together to
help those in need, and that is what we have seen in the aftermath of
the Haiti earthquake. Now, we must ensure that our attention and our
efforts do not waver. I thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership in
bringing this resolution to the Floor and urge all my colleagues to
support it.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of
H. Res. 1021, a resolution expressing condolences to and solidarity
with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake
there.
My sincerest condolences and prayers are with the citizens of Haiti,
their friends and families on Long Island and throughout the United
States as well as the many American citizens who live and work in
Haiti.
In times of tragedy, it is essential that we come to the aid of our
neighbors. have been proud of the response by U.S. Federal, State, and
local agencies that have been centrally involved with providing
emergency response to Haiti. Local law enforcement and first responders
throughout Long Island and New York have pledged to lend their
expertise to the relief efforts. After the initial emergency has
passed, it is important that we stay committed to helping Haiti onto
the path towards a full recovery.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is difficult to comprehend
the depth of tragedy and sorrow that has visited the poor island of
Haiti. It is difficult to convey the depth of our sympathy and shock at
the catastrophe that has befallen the Haitian people.
Madam Speaker, the extent of the misery, destruction and death is
nearly beyond imagination. It surely puts our own national trials and
tribulations into perspective.
I am encouraged by the expression of solidarity that has sprung up
across the United States. I hope that expression manifests not merely
in words but in real action, real contributions, financial and
otherwise, to aid our suffering Haitian brothers and sisters.
I encourage the Obama Administration to continue working closely with
the United Nations and the international community to ensure that the
provision of critical assistance to the most vulnerable, the grievously
injured and homeless, is the top priority of aid efforts.
I encourage the American people to look with understanding and not
with scorn upon the chaos that inevitably accompanies such disasters,
wherever they occur.
And I pledge, on behalf of my constituents, the full power and
influence of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District to the effort to
relieve Haitian suffering and save Haitian lives as the toll of this
disaster continues to rise.
Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of passing both
H. Res. 1021 and H.R. 4462. During this time of terrible tragedy in
Haiti, it is imperative that we stand with the Haitian people as they
work to rescue, recover and eventually rebuild.
Haiti is the poorest, and perhaps most struggling of our neighbors in
the Western Hemisphere. Although there has been much progress with the
development of a democratic parliamentary system, there is still a long
way to go and this natural disaster is undoubtedly a terrible setback
to Haiti's development. Sadly, many casualties of this tragedy have
been humanitarian workers and peacekeepers whose work was far from
completed. With that in mind, it is imperative that we keep their
mission alive by supporting greater resources for further aid workers
and peacekeeping forces.

[[Page H241]]

Since the day the earthquake occurred, I have been touched by the
outpouring of support from Americans and am pleased that Congress is
able to act so swiftly to pass legislation that speeds up the tax
deduction for charitable contributions for Haiti. It is yet another way
for us to help those who want to help the people of Haiti through this
time of tragedy.
I urge my colleagues to pass both H. Res. 1021 and H.R. 4462 and to
keep the people of Haiti in our thoughts and prayers.
Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues to
express my profound condolences to the people of Haiti in the aftermath
of the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the nation on
January 12, 2010.
I led a congressional delegation to Haiti in May 2009 to support that
country's efforts to promote democracy, stability and prosperity.
During that visit, I saw the many challenges Haitians face and how they
meet those challenges with courage and determination.
Our delegation met with Haitian President Rene Preval at the National
Palace and we also met with members of the Haitian Parliament at the
Senate building. To now see photos of both of those buildings in ruins
and to hear stories of members of the Senate being pulled out of the
rubble has strengthened my resolve to continue to support Haiti and its
people. The tragic images and on-the-ground news reports cannot but
move us to action.
We also visited two Partners in Health, PIH, facilities. PIH brings
modern medical care to poor communities around the world and has been
working in Haiti for over 20 years. Thankfully, PIH facilities in the
central plateau region of Haiti, while experiencing the strong shock of
the earthquake, had no major building damage or staff or patient
injuries. PIH was able to mobilize their resources and bring medical
assistance and supplies to other areas of the island that have been
hardest hit. None of this has been easy to do in a country where the
infrastructure, subpar to begin with, was virtually destroyed. I thank
PIH as well as all the other organizations and individuals for the
difficult work they are doing in Haiti in the wake of this devastation.
President Barack Obama acted very quickly and decisively to send
vital assistance to Haiti. The Administration's coordination of this
international relief effort has been one of the largest in recent
history.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that our efforts to
rebuild Haiti will be a long term investment and I stand by her
commitment. Our country has a special responsibility to help our
neighbor move beyond the poverty, despair, and dysfunction that have
plagued Haiti for far too long.
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of continued investment in
the people of Haiti.
Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues in
the Congressional Black Caucus in support of the people of Haiti.
Last weekend, in my district, I held a citywide interfaith prayer
service where we sought God's grace and mercy for the lives of those
who were lost in last week's earthquake as well as for the survivors,
the rescue workers and those who, miraculously, continue to be pulled
alive from the rubble.
I strongly support the swift action, last week, by the Obama
Administration to grant temporary protected status for Haitian
immigrants already living in this country. I urge the Administration to
continue to bring the full weight and resources of the federal
government in support of a nation whose history intersects with that of
the founding of the United States.
Haiti is a nation to whom our nation owes an enormous debt of
gratitude. It was the brave people of Haiti who tirelessly fought
French aggressors, in the early 1800s, thereby preventing that nation
from advancing to the shores of America in the early years after the
founding of our republic.
My commitment to Haiti is to do all I can do, in our nation's capitol
and at home in Chicago, to help restore, rebuild and strengthen Haiti.
My hope and prayer is that it will emerge stronger than it was before
last week's tragic turn of events.
Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I want to join with the American people
in paying tribute to the Haitian people. Who have suffered so much. But
who have proven so strong. While the world does all it can to help, it
is the Haitian people, first and foremost, who are saving themselves.
I also want to honor those who have rushed to Haiti's aid from across
the globe: the diplomats and aid workers, the humanitarians, the
volunteers, and the members of the military--particularly the United
States Coast Guard.
Last but certainly not least, I want to pay tribute to the men and
women of the United Nations peacekeeping mission known as MINUSTAH.
They came to a foreign land. To help give a foreign people a better
life. Now many of them are dead. Or injured. Or missing.
We must ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain. We must work
with the Haitian people and the world to help Haiti recover. Because
doing so is not just in line with our interests. It is in keeping with
our most basic and cherished values of compassion and common decency.
Ms. LEE of California. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1021.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________