[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H7106-H7107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   VOICING SYMPATHY FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF HAITIAN FERRY ACCIDENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida [Ms. Brown] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my deepest 
sympathy for the families of the hundreds of persons who drowned before 
dawn on Monday of this week when a packed Haitian ferry--transporting 
hundreds more passengers than it was built for--tipped over. These 
people, who were merely going to work, died tragic and unnecessary 
deaths. This horrifying event is the second such event in Haiti in 
recent times.
  In 1993 over 1,000 persons drowned in another crowded ferry off 
Haiti's coast. We should be outraged that such tragedy happens so close 
to home. But because Haiti is a nation of black people living in 
crippling poverty, and not an oil-rich country, the United States turns 
a blind eye. As a member of the Transportation Committee, let me say 
this: The reason for such tragedy in Haiti is simple--there is no 
decent or safe transportation infrastructure in Haiti due to lack of 
funding and necessary expertise. America has failed Haiti and

[[Page H7107]]

there is shared responsibility for the failure. The President, along 
with the leadership in our State Department, should have carved out a 
realistic financial program to give Haiti the tools to build a 
sustainable democracy. What is needed is a unique program--designed to 
fit Haiti's particular needs and requirements. In foreign policy, we 
need to get away from the cookie cutter mentality that expects all 
foreign countries to be the same. When we look at the nations of the 
world, we can see that they have different histories, cultures, and 
assets. Haiti is the eyesore that will not go away; and the United 
States cannot continue to turn its back. To do so is foolish because no 
wall is high enough to keep tragedy from spreading onto our own shores 
when we refuse to help a neighbor.

  As the world grows smaller, the Caribbean region comes closer. Today 
we stand facing one another; it is increasingly difficult to turn 
away--even if we do not wish to see the appalling poverty, lack of 
education, and other serious difficulties.
  Haiti's crucial needs include: One, land reform that will make the 
most of land in fertile areas; two, transportation assistance for a 
modern, safe transportation infrastructure; and three, administrative 
reform that includes considerable assistance from the World Bank and 
other international lending institutions. Only as we face the reality 
of Haiti's dire needs will we, as a nation, develop a deep, lasting, 
and beneficial partnership with Haiti. I also implore the media to 
grant fair coverage to the tragedies in this country. It is time to 
quit making news, and instead begin covering the news. My prayers right 
now are with the families of those who have died, and I urge the 
leaders of this great Nation to reach out to our neighbors whose 
catastrophes go unnoticed day after day.

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