[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO ACT

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the headline reads, ``Haitians 
Man Barricades Against Armed Rebels.''
  Mr. Speaker, this is the 200th year of the anniversary of 
independence of our friends who live in Haiti. If my colleagues recall, 
in the founding of our constitutional country, it was the Haitians who 
helped us claim our independence. How can we stand idly by and not 
demand for them justice, equality, and democracy? How can we watch 
blood run in the streets and not provide peacekeeping troops and the 
dignity to provide all of them an equal opportunity? As the President, 
who was duly elected, stands against the rage of the insurgents, we 
stand idly by.
  Mr. President, Mr. Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State, it is 
time now for us to deal with democracy here at our very shore and then, 
Mr. Speaker, might I say, do not, do not denounce or do not disregard 
the fact that there will be thousands of Haitian refugees which we have 
to deal with. We are not addressing the question of those refugees or 
possible immigrants coming into this country. We need to be prepared 
and provide the asylum and provide the coverage and the opportunity for 
them to be here.
  I simply say that now is the time for us to act. It is important for 
peacekeeping troops to go to Haiti now.

                          ____________________