[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING HAITI FOR HOLDING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
people of the Republic of Haiti for holding successful democratic 
elections on February 7, 2006. I would also like to congratulate their 
chosen successor, Mr. Rene Preval.
  I commend the people of Haiti for their active commitment to and 
unbridled belief in democracy. On such an auspicious occasion, the best 
way we can honor the Republic of Haiti is by continuing to lend our 
support through economic and humanitarian policy that encourages 
development, not dependency.
  While elections are the necessary first step towards democracy in 
Haiti, there still remains a long road ahead. It is crucial that we, 
the United States, do not continue to perpetuate the legacy of 
interference and neglect in Haitian affairs.
  We must work with the newly elected President of the Republic of 
Haiti, Rene Preval, and we must work with Haitians in both Haiti and 
the U.S. to make their dreams of sustained democracy and prosperity a 
reality.
  Several of my distinguished colleagues, myself included, have a 
significant number of Haitian constituents in our district. It is my 
sincerest hope that we will work to bring their home country out of the 
grips of poverty and despair once and for all so that Haiti's rich, yet 
tumultuous, past will finally evolve into a future of sustained 
success.

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