[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H119-H124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                CBC HOUR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Ms. LEE of California. As Chair of the 42-member Congressional Black 
Caucus, let me first begin by saying that our thoughts and our prayers 
go out to the people of Haiti and the Haitian-American community, those 
Americans and others in Haiti affected by this devastating earthquake.
  Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are continuing to monitor 
the situation in Haiti, and are committed to providing whatever 
emergency humanitarian assistance is needed. The Congressional Black 
Caucus has a long history of working with the Haitian people and the 
Haitian-American community on a variety of issues. We share a close and 
long-standing relationship. Many members of the Congressional Black 
Caucus, including myself, have visited Haiti many, many times.
  Since learning of the devastating earthquake yesterday, my staff and 
I have been in contact with the State Department and other officials to 
assess the situation on a regular basis. Congressman Donald Payne of 
New Jersey chairs the International Affairs Task Force of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, and has held several meetings today to 
coordinate our legislative and humanitarian assistance efforts. The CBC 
is working to help to ensure that the United States can and will 
continue to do everything it can to provide emergency humanitarian 
assistance. The President has quickly deployed all available assets and 
resources to respond to this emergency.
  Over the last several years, Haiti has experienced an extraordinary 
set of challenges, from high food prices and food shortages, to natural 
disasters. Haiti will need increased attention and resources from the 
international community to help it recover during this very difficult 
time.
  United Nations reports say thousands of people may have died in this 
earthquake. At least 100 people are believed to be buried in the rubble 
of the United Nations headquarters building in Port-au-Prince. The head 
of the United Nations Mission is among the missing. Search and rescue 
teams have been sent to Haiti from several countries. A United States 
military official says tentative plans are underway for the hospital 
ship USNS Comfort to dock off the coast of Haiti to assist with sick 
and wounded. We are asking the global community to help us with these 
efforts.
  In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the U.S. Agency for 
International Development is dispatching a disaster assistance response 
team, and has activated its partners the Fairfax County Urban Search 
and Rescue Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team. Now, 
more than ever, Haiti needs our help.
  Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in the Western 
Hemisphere, with an average per capita income of $500 per year. But the 
Haitian people are resilient and proud people. The country ranks 146 
out of 177, lower than Bangladesh and even the Sudan on the United 
Nations Human International Development Index. And also one in eight 
children will die before the age of five. That is one in eight.
  Over the last 2 years, Haiti has been devastated by a triple blow of 
rising food and energy prices, the succession of hurricanes and 
tropical storms, and the global economic downturn. In May of 2008, the 
former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Carolyn 
Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, and I, led a Congressional delegation to 
Haiti to examine the conditions on the ground. We were joined then by 
10 members of the Congressional Black Caucus and one member of the 
Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Later that month, the House passed an 
emergency supplemental that included funding for international food 
aid, and also other food security initiatives. As a member of the 
Appropriations Committee, we worked to ensure that Haiti's needs were 
addressed in the context of the global food crisis.
  Thanks in large part to the leadership of many members in the 
Congressional Black Caucus, in September 2008 President Bush signed 
H.R. 2638 into law, which amended the Department of Homeland Security 
Act to include 100 million in additional disaster relief to the 
Caribbean, of which 96 million was appropriated to Haiti. During 
Haiti's time of need then Congress stepped up to lend support. And of 
course we expect no less this time around.

                              {time}  1700

  As we deliver urgent and immediate support to the people of Haiti and 
all of those who have been affected by this earthquake, we must also 
identify long-term solutions to Haiti's problems. Haiti's food 
shortages, severe deforestation, poor sanitation, lack of family 
planning and health care services, high unemployment and 
underdevelopment, and also the lack of an agricultural sector, these 
issues, these problems cannot be solved by emergency assistance alone. 
And so that is why, working with Chairman Engel, many of us are working 
on my bill, H.R. 417, which is called the Next Steps for Haiti Act of 
2009.
  This bill would provide technical expertise and build human capacity 
to help Haiti address its own problems. Many Haitian Americans living 
in the United States have technical expertise in areas such as 
agriculture, education, health care, and infrastructure and would like 
to return to Haiti to assist their people. My bill creates a mechanism 
to transfer this knowledge in order to meet the needs and the goals of 
Haiti.
  Beyond that, we need to ensure that we find innovative ways to build 
human capacities, such as educational exchanges, programs such as I 
have proposed and other Members in H.R. 416, the Shirley Chisholm U.S.-
Caribbean Educational Exchange Act.
  Now more than ever Haiti needs the support of its neighbor to the 
north. Even as we deal with our own problems during these tough 
economic times, we must not turn a blind eye to the untold human 
suffering just off our shores. Today, we express our continued support 
for Haiti. We stand in solidarity with the Haitians and the Haitian 
Americans who have lost loved ones, with the United States citizens 
still trapped on the island. We stand in solidarity with the rescue 
workers who have devoted their time and their treasure to help people 
they do not know. We stand hand in hand with them today and renew our 
continued support.
  Our thoughts and our prayers go out to the Haitian people and to all 
of those who have been affected during this very trying time. We are 
asking everyone in our country to help in this assistance with the 
Haiti effort. Of

[[Page H120]]

course individuals can go online, USAID.gov, for more information. The 
administration is urging cash donations. There are many, many efforts 
taking place by our administration in this immediate emergency response 
in terms of a search-and-rescue effort at this moment.
  Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to speak tonight. I 
would like now to turn the floor over to Congresswoman Donna 
Christensen from the Virgin Islands, who has led on many efforts as it 
relates to the Caribbean, who knows Haiti very, very well, who knows 
what natural disasters mean in terms of the dislocation and the tragic 
deaths that occur and what we have to do as a country to help respond 
to such a tragedy of this magnitude.
  Thank you, Congresswoman Christensen.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. And thank you, Congresswoman and Chairwoman Lee, 
for your leadership of the caucus through every event that we've had to 
deal with, but especially for the way that you have answered the call 
to action for the people of Haiti and have called us to action as well 
within the caucus and within the Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening with my colleagues to express our 
deep sense of concern for the plight of the Haitian people after 
yesterday's devastating earthquake, the most devastating some people 
have observed in 200 or more years. I want to again thank our chair 
lady and the past years of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 
leadership they have given over the years on behalf of the nation of 
Haiti.
  Last year, we began this administration and this Congress with hope 
for this country because of the promised engagement of President Obama, 
the demonstrated commitment of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and 
the work on the ground of former President Clinton. But today, after 
beginning to rebuild after an onslaught of hurricanes in years past, 
this country, which is poor in resources but never has been poor in 
spirit, has been dealt a devastating blow once again.
  So on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands who are Caribbean 
neighbors of the people of Haiti, I express my condolences on the loss 
that has not yet been counted and for a sorrow not yet fully expressed 
because of the shock at the sheer magnitude of the loss that affects us 
all as fellow human beings.
  I would like to express special concern for the Haitian Americans in 
my district and across the country who are worried and devastated as 
they try to get some word about the status of their loved ones back at 
home.
  Mr. Speaker, Haiti has always had a special place in my heart and the 
hearts of all of us in the Congressional Black Caucus as me and my 
colleagues have tried over several administrations to impress upon 
those administrations the need for assistance for a people who crave 
economic opportunity, political stability, and social advancement. Many 
Haitians have migrated to our shores and have made significant and 
magnificent contributions to our country, but many still yearn for a 
better future for the country that they left behind.
  As we ponder how to help Haiti in this time of disaster, which has 
followed many other disasters, and the difficulty of daily living for 
many of her residents, I hope that we will look at how we can help this 
neighbor to turn the corner and be more able to grow and develop in a 
way that can be helpful and more supportive to her citizens and help 
them to build for the future. Haiti needs debt forgiveness, investment 
in infrastructure, assistance in health care and education, and many of 
the things that we take for granted that would create that brighter 
future for its people.
  I commend President Obama for his quick response in getting first 
responders there to help those trapped in the rubble, medical 
assistance to help those who have been hurt or injured, and military 
assistance to help maintain the stability that is necessary to make 
sure that those most in need get the help. And we know that his 
commitment and our commitment as Members of Congress is there for the 
long term.
  Mr. Speaker, this disaster has touched the lives of rich and poor, 
educated and not, Haitians and others. And as we fellow human beings 
who care stand ready to assist in this time of need, I join my 
colleagues tonight in the Congressional Black Caucus and pledge our 
help in this disaster and in the long term for their recovery. Right 
now the need is for monetary donations to credible organizations like 
the International Red Cross and others operated by churches and not-
for-profit organizations that work with the people of Haiti on a 
regular basis. News reports last night told us that the people of 
Haiti, devastated by the disaster, took to the streets last night and 
hugged and prayed while trying their best to dig their friends and 
neighbors out of the rubble. We want them to know that we join in their 
prayers for relief and mercy and will do what we can as neighbors, as 
friends, as family, and as Members of Congress to assist them in their 
time of need.

  Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much, Congresswoman 
Christensen.
  Now I would like to yield to the Chair of the Congressional Black 
Caucus' International Affairs Task Force, Congressman Don Payne, who 
also chairs the Africa and Global Health Subcommittee of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee. Congressman Payne today has been working hour by 
hour coordinating an emergency response strategy for the House of 
Representatives. Thank you very much, Congressman Payne, for being with 
us here tonight and for your leadership.
  Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. And let me commend the chairperson of 
the Congressional Black Caucus, Barbara Lee, for her continued 
leadership, stellar leadership, bringing issues that are current to us 
before the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congress and the Nation.
  Once again, we are here to talk about an issue that is very close to 
us. As has been indicated, I chair the International Task Force of the 
CBC and others on the Western Hemisphere Committee and so forth. Haiti 
has been a longtime concern to many of us, and we certainly wish to 
express our concern for this disaster, this catastrophe that has 
stricken Haiti.
  As you know, Haiti was hit by four devastating hurricanes and 
tropical storms recently, a year and a half ago. And Haiti was 
recovering, recovering from the mudslides, recovering from the floods, 
working its way back for the past 15 months. Then of course last night 
we were just shocked when we heard that a 7.0 earthquake on the Richter 
scale, an earthquake that was only 5 miles from the surface of the 
Earth, therefore giving it a magnitude of strength that is rarely felt 
in an earthquake because many earthquakes go down 100 miles, 150 miles 
deep into the Earth. However, this being 5 miles from the surface meant 
that the shock and the aftershocks were as individual earthquakes would 
be because of the proximity to the surface. This was a tremendous 
setback again for Haiti.
  From reports, we have heard that few buildings are left standing in 
Port Au Prince. The Parliament building, schools, hospitals, houses are 
destroyed. We have known that there has been a problem in Haiti with 
deforestation, with the need for firewood and heating fuel, cooking 
fuel, and therefore the denuding of the topography, therefore making it 
very difficult for the environment to move forward. And so this 
unbelievable earthquake is certainly another tremendous setback.
  We know that the U.S. had a quick response. Our Secretary of State 
from Hawaii early this morning indicated that the U.S. would be there 
in full force with all of our support. Then we recall this morning the 
President of the United States addressed our country, indicating that 
the U.S. will do all within our authority to ensure that everything is 
done that we can.
  There has been a tremendous amount of coordination. We heard from 
Cheryl Mills from the Secretary of State's office recently on a 
conference call where she updated us about all of the military and 
humanitarian, USAID programs that are going on. We have ships that are 
going to Haiti. We have Mercy Hospital ship that's on its way. We have 
helicopters that will be deployed from our aircraft carriers. We have 
the Coast Guard that is coming down.
  And so we have a tremendous amount of immediate--there was never any

[[Page H121]]

hesitation on the part of our government, and I commend the Obama 
administration. In my State of New Jersey, we have many, many Haitian 
Americans, and my office has been inundated with calls of people who 
want to know what they can do and concerns about their family and loved 
ones and what will the next steps be.
  In concluding, Haiti has been a strong ally to the United States of 
America throughout its history. Haiti sent troops to fight with the 
American patriots who were fighting for their independence against 
Great Britain. In Savannah, the Battle of Savannah, many Haitians lost 
their lives, which was one of the turning points of the colonists 
turning the tide against the British Army. Many valiant Haitians died 
for our independence. And actually, during history, when the Haitian 
military had a 12-year war with Napoleon's army, Haiti defeated the 
great Napoleon's military and therefore, France was in need of 
finances. And France at that time controlled the Louisiana territory. 
It was because of Haiti's defeat of France and their need for cash that 
the United States was able to buy the Louisiana territory in the famous 
Louisiana Purchase, which therefore opened the West to the United 
States, and Lewis and Clark then went throughout the continent.

                              {time}  1715

  So, if you look at it, Haiti has had a tremendous amount to do with 
our development as a Nation, and so we now owe a responsibility, I 
believe, to our longstanding friend in Haiti. So I know that we are on 
the right track. The Congressional Black Caucus will continue to 
monitor and ensure that we have a thorough and efficient response, as 
we have seen. We have been pleased up to this point, and we will be at 
the forefront.
  So, once again, let me commend the chairperson of the Congressional 
Black Caucus and all of the members who have joined shoulder to 
shoulder to say that we will march until we ensure that Haiti will, 
once again, be able to come back again. They have the resilience. They 
have the spirit. They have the determination. So we know that it will 
come back, but it will have to be with the assistance of the United 
States and of many other nations around the world who are willing to 
help.
  Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much, Congressman Payne. Let me 
thank you for that presentation and also for putting Haiti in a 
historical context. It is important that we recognize and remember the 
history of how our foreign policy and our relations with Haiti have 
been so important in the past, which now has brought us to this day.
  So, today, we are talking about how we can respond in an emergency 
way and in a manner that will help the Haitian people take care of the 
sick and that will help with these search and rescue efforts. I also 
thank you for reminding us that we have to help Haiti to move forward 
and to rebuild and recover.
  Now I would like to ask Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to speak. 
Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a member of the Homeland Security 
Committee, but also she was very instrumental in the Katrina response. 
She provided many, many ways and vehicles for Katrina survivors to live 
and to have a decent place to stay until they could return home, and 
she ensured that FEMA was responsive to their needs. She really took on 
many, many issues as it relates to hurricane survivors. Now she is 
working very hard as it relates to the earthquake in Haiti.
  So thank you again, Congresswoman Jackson Lee. Let me just remind 
you, and I was listening to Congressman Payne, that I come from an area 
that is earthquake-prone. It is hard to imagine what a 7.0 or a 7.1 
earthquake is on the Richter scale given our experience with, maybe, a 
4 or a 5 or a 6. So this is really an earthquake of enormous magnitude 
that those of us who come from earthquake-prone regions recognize and 
understand.
  Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee, our 
chairperson, who raised the red flag and who let out the siren and 
gathered us together, and I want to respond to what she just said about 
the earthquake.
  It rocks you in your soul; 7.0 on the Richter scale is hair-raising. 
I would also argue that it puts your hair on fire. I still have a sense 
that I am trembling because it's unimaginable. As you have just 
indicated, we look to California, and we get very nervous about our 
friends and family who are there when we hear of a 2, of a 3 or of a 4. 
I recall in the northern California area when there was an earthquake 
that impacted the baseball game and the baseball stadium, and it was 
all over the news. It was not a 7.0.
  So I would just simply say that we rise here with all solemnness. We 
are not speechless, but we are trembling for those who are now in the 
eye of devastation.
  I, too, rise to thank the Congressional Black Caucus, of which I am a 
member, to thank all of those who have been in meetings, as we have 
been throughout this morning and yesterday, and on a conference call 
that occurred. Work is going on as we speak and the concern that we 
have for those who we have been able to see only through, to a certain 
extent, still pictures, though I know many of our cable networks in 
particular have been making their way there, and other networks, to be 
able to deliver the devastation to us.
  I express my appreciation to the President of the United States, who 
moved swiftly. There was no hesitation on the commitment that President 
Barack Obama had. In fact, he quickly offered his prayers, but he 
acknowledged the devastation, making note of the fact that he had seen 
collapsed hospitals, crumbled homes, men and women carrying their 
injured neighbors to the streets. He acknowledged that it was truly 
heart-wrenching, sufficient to make you tremble. So, moving swiftly, he 
directed his administration to coordinate in an aggressive manner to 
save lives.
  The people of Haiti will have the full support of the United States 
in the urgent efforts to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble and to 
deliver the humanitarian relief--the food, the water, and the 
medicine--the Haitians will need. He has authorized that USAID and the 
Departments of State and Defense work closely together, and he has 
mobilized large numbers of individuals, including our military efforts.
  I also want to take note that the Secretary of Homeland Security has 
indicated that our resources, including the United States Coast Guard 
and FEMA, will be there, which we have jurisdiction over--my committee 
has jurisdiction over--and Chairman Thompson will be intimately 
involved in pushing the efforts of making sure that FEMA and the U.S. 
Coast Guard are there.
  Google ``7.0'' and get a sense of how deeply devastating that is and 
that it hit one of the most populated areas, Port-au-Prince. It damaged 
buildings extensively. We saw the palace collapse, not riddled by 
bullet holes, but literally collapse. How fortunate we can say we were, 
the fact that this came at 6 o'clock when we understand that many of 
the workers in the palace and the government were already gone, but we 
know that government officials may have lost their lives. It is said 
that many of the United Nations personnel and peacekeeping troops have 
lost their lives, and so we can't put this at a level of seriousness by 
just our voices and our words.
  Let me thank the U.S. Southern Command that is deploying a team of 30 
people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of 
yesterday's devastating earthquake. Let me also mention that the team 
will include U.S. military engineers, operational planners, a command-
and-control group, and communications specialists. They will arrive in 
Haiti on two C-130 Hercules aircraft. For those who don't know or who 
can't imagine, those are huge, boat-like aircraft which can carry an 
enormous amount of equipment.

  Chairman Lee, I think one of the important issues that I am very 
concerned about and would like to get a report on is how many 
aircraft--let me just use the right terminology--large ships can carry 
heavy equipment. We know in the war zones that there are large aircraft 
that can carry heavy equipment, and the equipment I am thinking of in 
particular would be the Earth-moving machines, the machines that can 
assist in finding the loss.

[[Page H122]]

  As we understand, many are still living or are still trying to live 
who are in the crushed buildings. Time is of the essence. It is 
imperative because of the crush injuries that can kill. Even if they 
are alive, the fact that some parts of their bodies are crushed, 
whether it is a leg or an arm, can cut off circulation, and they can 
die. Some of the large equipment is so very important, and I would like 
to get a report on how fast that equipment can move.
  We do understand that a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter already evacuated 
four critically injured U.S. Embassy staff to the naval station at 
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, hospital for further treatment. Elements of the 
U.S. Air Force First Special Operations Wing are deploying today to the 
international airport of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to provide air traffic 
control capability and airfield operations.
  That is very important, which will allow Members of Congress--and 
might I thank Congresswoman Lee in working with the Congressional Black 
Caucus. I would like to push for a codel on Friday, but I realize the 
difficulty of moving Members during a time of great uncertainty. So I 
encourage, as you have already dictated, that the CBC have a codel, and 
I know there are many members who are looking to do that and who would 
do that at the appropriate time. I want everyone to realize that the 
Congressional Black Caucus is leading on this, and we are attempting to 
get to Haiti as quickly as we can, making sure that the operations of 
rescue go forward first.
  A U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from the forwarding operational 
location at El Salvador took off early this morning to conduct an 
aerial reconnaissance of the area affected by the earthquake, and the 
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Benson, is under way and is 
expected to arrive off the coast of Haiti. I might imagine that they 
will be bringing in what is necessary in the heavy equipment. Many 
countries around the world are also coming, and I do believe it is 
crucial that we acknowledge that.
  The Red Cross is receiving dollars. The White House has a Web site, 
Madam Chair, which I would like to recite if I could find it.
  Ms. LEE of California. Will the gentlelady yield?
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I will be happy to yield.
  Ms. LEE of California. I believe the Web site is USAID.gov.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Yes, that's one of them.
  There was a WhiteHouse.gov, and that is an excellent one to use if I 
find it. Then of course I would like to state the number for American 
family members who are trying to find their family in Haiti, and that 
number is (888) 407-4747.
  What I would like to conclude on is to give comfort to Haitians who 
are here and to ensure that they can reach out to the offices of their 
Members of Congress. I'll give my number, which is (202) 225-3816, for 
constituents in my area, but it is important to note that all Members 
of Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus members will all be 
going home to their districts, meeting with the Haitian Americans in 
their constituencies. In particular, I will be meeting with Haitian 
American constituents, and I am calling for a weekend of prayer that 
will culminate on your days of worship, that you will offer up a 
weekend of prayer for the people of Haiti, for their families and, of 
course, for the Haitian Americans who are now here struggling to help 
their loved ones.
  It is also important for Haitian Americans and for others to note 
that the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security have put a 
hold on any deportations. Let me say this because that always raises 
hairs, but we in the Congressional Black Caucus have been in the 
forefront for acknowledging that, really, the deportations of Haitians 
have really fallen upon the backs of hardworking Haitians who came 
here, by and large, simply to work and to achieve opportunities. They 
came alongside of the Cubans, but did not have the same status. We have 
not found danger in the Haitian community. In fact, a story that 
appeared in the Houston Chronicle is of a Haitian American whom I 
helped. She was a schoolteacher with two children and a husband, and 
she is being switched off.
  I am glad that she is now in the midst, Chairwoman Lee, of the 
Haitian relief effort in Houston.
  So we have been advocating, and the Trans Africa Forum has advocated 
for TPS status, but I think it's important to note that we have gotten 
the quickest response and that that response is that the deportations 
of Haitians--and I want to repeat it again--are now on hold as ordered 
by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Homeland 
Security. I can't imagine any Member of Congress is going to rise to 
his feet to challenge that humanitarian act by this government, and I 
am very proud of them.
  I do want to take note of the fact as well that I am very pleased 
that Major Washington has been detailed to my office, and his firsthand 
knowledge has already been helpful. One of the things that, I think, we 
should emphasize in the immediate hours, tragically, is to secure units 
from the military which are able to set up temporary morgues. We hate 
to say that, but we understand that that is what we are going to face, 
and let me tell you why.

                              {time}  1730

  In listening to the leadership in Haiti, Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-
Max Bellerive told CNN that he believes there are well over 100,000 
dead. We don't know that, but these are government officials who have 
said that number, and a leading Senator estimated the number as 
possibly as high as 500,000. Again, we don't have an affirmation of 
these numbers, but these are leaders who are on the ground, and I 
believe it is very important.
  Eight American employees working at the Embassy were injured; three 
were medevaced. We believe there are three U.S. citizens who have died, 
currently reported by the individual.
  I think I started out by saying the Houston Rotary Club, downtown 
Rotary Club has a delegation in Haiti as of yesterday, and we are 
working to ensure their return.
  Let me say thank you for the U.S. Embassy. The building, we 
understand, is intact. We thank those workers there. We encourage them 
as they are helping to be part of the solution. We are encouraging them 
as we work with them for those constituents of ours that are still 
there that we will be looking for.
  I hope that the long journey of recovery will be a bipartisan effort. 
I am thankful that the Congressional Black Caucus, meeting with their 
constituents as we go home, will be able to be the harvesters of 
information and bring back information that can be very helpful.
  The Congresswoman, Congresswoman Lee, mentioned a number. I want to 
cite the American Red Cross, who is also accepting public donations to 
support the Haitian response, to the American Red Cross International 
Response Fund, which is used to respond to disasters such as the 
Haitian earthquake. The American Red Cross made an initial contribution 
of $1 million from these funds for relief activities within hours of 
the earthquake, and they are prepared to send relief supplies for 5,000 
families from their warehouse in Panama. The United Nations is 
releasing $10 million from its emergency fund.
  And as I close, let me just cite very quickly the Irish 
telecommunication company is helping. European Commission has approved 
3 million euros. Spain has committed dollars in euros. Netherlands has 
committed 2 million euros. Germany committed 2 million euros. China 
will donate 1 million. Sweden, 6 million kronor, $850,000.
  Venezuela has sent doctors, firefighters, and rescue workers. Mexico 
will send doctors, search and rescue dogs. France is sending two 
planes. Britain has sent 64 firefighters.
  And, by the way, that is a component that we believe does not exist, 
firefighters. My plea to our brave firefighters across America, I 
believe we should facilitate your going, if you desire. And I certainly 
will look forward to reaching out to my firefighters in Houston for 
opportunities.
  Taiwan, Israel, and of course the United States State Department is 
in full force, which we hope they will be coordinating all this.
  Lastly, I know that Cuba will be sending doctors. They have been 
especially supportive in crises, and I am in advance thanking them for 
their medical team.

[[Page H123]]

  Congresswoman Lee, Chairwoman Lee, I am touched by this devastation 
in ways that cannot be expressed, as all of us are, and the reason is 
because we work with Haitian Americans in our constituency. We have 
been to Haiti. We have watched it get on its feet. We have visited 
political prisoners in its jails. We have now been grateful for a new 
day in Haiti.
  And I also want to thank former President Bill Clinton, who has been 
appointed by the President some many months ago to help chart the 
recovery for Haiti. We have got a whole new task now, but we are up to 
the task. And what we will say is, my brothers and sisters, have faith. 
Never give up the faith, for in this time of need you will find that 
the human community will rally toward you and they will be your wind 
beneath your wings. They will be your Good Samaritan. They will be your 
brother. They will be your sister. And as a good songwriter often said 
and many of us like to sing, just lean on me. Just lean on me, and we 
will make a difference.
  Thank you, Madam Chair, for your leadership and that of the 
Congressional Black Caucus.
  Mr. Speaker, there are certain facts, I would like to discuss:


                               earthquake

  A massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of 
Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12th. The damage to buildings is 
extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated to be in the 
hundreds, even thousands.
  Several eyewitnesses reported heavy damage and bodies in the streets 
of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where concrete-block homes line steep 
hillsides. There was no immediate estimate of the dead and wounded on 
Tuesday evening.
  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. 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, 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.


                            u.s. death toll

  Eight American employees working at the Embassy were injured; 3 were 
medivaced. There are 3 U.S. citizens deaths currently reported but toll 
expected to rise.


                           u.s. aide response

  President Obama vows immediate response and aid.
  The State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland 
Security, Coast Guard, USAID--has worked overnight to ensure that 
critical resources are positioned to support the response and recovery 
effort, including efforts to find and assist American citizens in 
Haiti.
  U.S. Southern Command will deploy a team of 30 people to Haiti to 
support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of yesterday's devastating 
earthquake.
  The team includes U.S. military engineers, operational planners, and 
a command and control group and communication specialists, will arrive 
in Haiti today on two C-130 Hercules aircraft.
  The team will work 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.
  The American Red Cross is accepting public donations to support the 
Haitian response through the American Red Cross International Response 
Fund--which is used to respond to disasters such as the Haiti 
earthquake. The American Red Cross made an initial contribution of 1 
million dollars from these funds for relief activities within hours of 
the earthquake and we are prepared to send relief supplies for 5,000 
families from our warehouse in Panama.


                      international aide response

  The United Nations is releasing $10 million from its emergency funds.
  Irish telecommunications company Digicel said it would donate $5 
million to aid agencies and help repair the damaged phone network.
  European Commission has approved C3 million ($4.37 million) with more 
funds likely.
  Spain has pledged C3 million ($4.37 million), and sent three planes 
with rescue teams and 100 tons of emergency relief equipment.
  Netherlands has donated C2 million ($2.91 million) and will send a 
60-person search-and-rescue team.
  Germany gave C1.5 million ($2.17 million) and sent an immediate 
response team. Another team with 20 rescue dogs is on standby.
  China will donate $1 million.
  Sweden has offered 6 million kronor ($850,000) along with tents, 
water purification equipment and medical aid.
  Venezuela has sent doctors, firefighters and rescue workers.
  Mexico will send doctors, search-and-rescue dogs and infrastructure 
damage experts.
  France is sending two planes with doctors, food and medical 
equipment.
  Britain has sent 64 firefighters with search-and-rescue dogs and 10 
tons of equipment.
  Iceland is sending 37 search-and-rescue specialists.
  Taiwan is flying in 23 rescue personnel and 2 tons of aid and 
equipment.
  Israel is sending an elite army rescue unit including engineers, 
rescue workers, doctors and medics.
  The U.S. State Department Operations Center set up the following 
number for Americans seeking information about relatives in Haiti: 
(888) 407-4747. The department cautioned that because of heavy volume, 
some callers may hear a recording. The State Department said those 
interested in helping immediately may 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 
department also suggested contacting agencies such as the Red Cross or 
Mercy Corps to help with relief efforts.
  Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much. And thank you for that 
very powerful statement, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, and also for 
reminding us that this is a global response and the United States is 
leading.


                             General Leave

  Ms. LEE of California. We, tonight, would like to ask the Speaker if 
we could keep the record open for 5 days for those who would like to 
add their statements to the record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. LEE of California. Once again, our thoughts and our prayers go 
out to the people of Haiti, to the Haitian American community, to all 
of those, our American citizens, all of those who have been impacted by 
this horrible, horrific earthquake.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I was absolutely devastated to learn of the 
earthquake that struck Haiti late yesterday afternoon. I fear that an 
earthquake of this magnitude, with its subsequent aftershocks, has 
dealt a serious blow to the livelihoods and lives of many Haitians and 
to the important economic, political and social developments that were 
underway in the country.
  Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. I 
have traveled to Haiti many times, and I have seen the poverty and 
desperation of the Haitian people with my own eyes. There is widespread 
unemployment and underemployment, and more than two-thirds of Haitian 
workers do not have formal jobs. There is a high risk of infectious 
diseases, including diarrhea, hepatitis, typhoid fever, dengue fever 
and malaria. The infant mortality rate is nearly 6 percent, and almost 
half of the adult population cannot read and write.
  Many people have worked hard over the years to assist the people of 
Haiti. I have worked with officials in the U.S. Government and 
international organizations to bring economic development to Haiti. 
Meanwhile, dedicated people working with charities and non- 
governmental organizations are on the ground in Haiti trying to end 
poverty and help the Haitian people build a brighter future for 
themselves and their children.
  I have also worked very hard over several years to bring debt 
cancellation to Haiti, which owed over one billion dollars in debts to 
the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other 
multilateral financial institutions. Last June, the World Bank 
announced that all of these debts would be completely canceled.
  Yet for the people of Haiti, every step forward seems to be followed 
by three steps backward. In August and September of 2008, Haiti was 
struck by four hurricanes and tropical storms in rapid succession: Fay, 
Gustav, Hanna, and Ike. The loss of life and the destruction of 
infrastructure as a result of these storms were devastating. The storms 
destroyed more than 22,000 houses and damaged an additional 84,000 
houses. Almost all of the agricultural land in the country was flooded, 
causing more than $200 million in damage to the agricultural sector 
alone and exacerbating hunger throughout the country. The storms also 
damaged or destroyed roads, bridges and other essential infrastructure.
  I had hoped that this year would be a year of recovery for Haiti. Yet 
this earthquake appears to be far more damaging than the

[[Page H124]]

storms of 2008. We do not yet know the full extent of the damage, but 
certainly thousands of Haitians have lost their lives, thousands of 
others have been injured, and many survivors have most likely lost 
their homes or livelihoods.
  Despite the devastation that has occurred in Haiti, I am encouraged 
by the prompt actions of President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, 
and other government officials to mobilize available resources and 
coordinate relief efforts. I urge the U.S. Government, the 
international community, nonprofit organizations and individual people 
to take all appropriate actions to respond to this earthquake and help 
the Haitian people recover from this terrible tragedy.
  My heart is with the people of Haiti at this dark hour, and I commit 
myself to doing everything I can to help them through this terrible 
disaster.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is beyond devastating that our 
friend and neighbor, the Republic of Haiti, has been hit with yet 
another terrible natural disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with 
both the Haitian people during this time of incredible hardship, and my 
constituents in South Florida whose family and friends have fallen 
victim to this tragedy.
  As you know, the people of Haiti are now experiencing the death, 
destruction, and aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
  Just 600 miles off the coast of Florida, Haiti stands as the poorest 
nation in the Western Hemisphere. Its nine million people are no 
strangers to hardship. In its tumultuous recent past, Haiti has 
experienced violent uprisings and floods that killed thousands of 
people and wiped out much of their food and infrastructure systems. As 
a result, they stand at a severe disadvantage and are ill equipped to 
deal with a tragedy of this scale.
  Sadly, many Haitians have been unable to recover from the turmoil of 
their past, and therefore, remain exceedingly vulnerable to the 
repercussions of yesterday's powerful earthquake.
  Recovery must be our first priority.
  I am proud that the United States Government has offered immediate 
assistance to the people of Haiti.
  Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have pledged America's 
unwavering support for Haiti during this crisis.
  Military officials have said that plans are underway for the hospital 
ship USNS Comfort to dock off the coast of Haiti to assist the sick and 
wounded.
  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is dispatching 
a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated its 
partners; the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and 
the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team.
  We must continue to work with the Obama Administration and federal 
agencies to help marshal necessary humanitarian relief efforts.
  In addition, now more than ever, it is clear that Congress must work 
to enact Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living 
in the United States.
  TPS would allow Haitians to remain in peace and security in the U.S. 
while the island recovers.
  In 1998 the U.S. government set a precedent when it granted TPS to 
nationals from Central American countries affected by Hurricane Mitch, 
and I would like to see the same fairness applied to Haiti.
  The United States must continue to provide assistance to bring Haiti 
out of poverty. I strongly support Congress appropriating robust 
emergency funds to assist Haiti in the wake of this catastrophe. Such 
funding is vital to providing stability in that fragile country, and is 
in our own national security interest.
  Mr. Speaker, it is our moral responsibility to help our neighbors in 
Haiti however we can, and the residents of South Florida can be sure 
that I will continue to use my position as a Member of Congress to 
advocate policies that will promote stability and security in Haiti 
during this time of need.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bear witness to the reports of the 
remarkable response I know is taking place in Chicago and other parts 
of the United States in the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake that struck 
Haiti yesterday.
  Thankfully, that response is being led by a fully engaged Obama 
Administration who, right now, is rapidly transporting critically 
needed food, supplies and relief workers--both civilian and military--
in an aggressive effort to save lives within the next, critical 24 
hours.
  My prayers are with the departed souls who lost their lives, 
yesterday, and for the families and loved ones they left behind. I pray 
that their loved ones find the strength to carry on in spite of the 
horrific circumstances they face.
  I come from a city that was founded by a bold Haitian explorer, Jean 
Baptiste Pointe du Sable. My hope is that the people of Haiti will tap 
into a boldness of spirit, and determination, that will help them find 
the collective will to rebuild. My hope and prayer for Haiti is that 
this nation will emerge even stronger than they were before yesterday's 
devastation.
  I commend CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee and the rest of the leadership 
of this caucus, and others, who are marshalling our combined resources 
to help the people of Haiti rebuild.
  May God bless the people of Haiti and those who are risking their 
lives to help them.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deepest 
condolences to the people of Haiti who have lost family, friends and 
loved ones in yesterday's earthquake. I understand that the island as a 
whole has been devastated, and that the capital city of Port-au-Prince 
was particularly severely hit. I greatly appreciate the efforts of the 
Administration and many non-governmental organizations who are working 
tirelessly to provide emergency aid and assistance.
  However, as I have long worked in partnership with Haiti to assist in 
the development of the country, I strongly believe that the 
Administration's efforts to ameliorate the damage suffered by Haiti 
should not be limited to simply initial emergency response and aid. The 
recovery of Haiti will be a lengthy process, particularly since 
yesterday's earthquake served to further exacerbate the existing 
humanitarian crisis that was the result of crippling damage inflicted 
by four hurricanes and tropical storms in late 2008. In this 
environment, Haiti is simply not in a position to adequately provide 
for the safety of Haitian nationals upon their return to the country 
from the United States.
  Therefore, I will, along with a bi-partisan group of Members of 
Congress, be asking the Administration to designate Haiti for Temporary 
Protected Status, or TPS. TPS will allow Haitian nationals currently in 
the U.S. to remain until this time of crisis has passed and Haiti is 
adequately able to handle the safe return of its nationals. I hope that 
the Administration recognizes that TPS designation for Haiti will be a 
significant step towards rebuilding after yesterday's tragedy. Again, I 
would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the Haitian people, 
and reassure them that I will do everything in my power to ensure that 
the U.S. government will provide any and all necessary assistance 
towards the rebuilding of Haiti.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and sincere 
condolences for the victims of yesterday's tragic earthquake. Yet 
another natural disaster has devastated this country and its people.
  My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the people of Haiti, 
those injured and unaccounted for, including Americans and U.N. 
personnel, and those who have lost loved ones.
  I commend the swift response by the Obama Administration, especially 
USAID, the State Department, and DOD, as well as the international 
community to quickly mobilize humanitarian and disaster relief in a 
complex humanitarian disaster.
  The devastation this earthquake has wrought is particularly tragic 
for the people of Haiti, who have endured not only destructive storms 
and hurricanes, but crushing poverty and political turmoil. Americans 
and people around the world have answered the call to support Haiti 
with time, talents, and charitable assistance in Haiti's great time of 
need.
  I stand committed to help the Haitian people recover from this 
disaster through emergency and humanitarian assistance as well as 
through long-term development assistance. I'm hopeful that a unified 
coordinated effort, in collaboration with the Haitian people, will 
result in a successful effort to rebuild their beautiful country.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________