[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 4 (Friday, January 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E31-E32]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                CBC HOUR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in solemn sympathy with 
the residents of Haiti as they are once again forced to cope with a 
major catastrophe. 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, 
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.
  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 arid 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.
  Although this tragedy struck the land of our neighbor, it is also an 
American tragedy. The earthquake injured eight American employees 
working at the Embassy, including three who were medivaced. There are 3 
U.S. citizens deaths currently reported but this number is expected to 
rise. Additionally, countless Americans have relatives in Haiti, and 
many of them are still unable to locate their loved ones.
  America is responding, and will continue to respond with immediate 
humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island 
nation rebuild their livelihoods. In the days ahead, I look forward to 
working with President Clinton, the Special Envoy to Haiti, to address 
the destruction caused by this natural disaster. 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, 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 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 followup 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 =3 million ($4.37 
million) with more funds likely. Countless other nations from Germany, 
to China, to Israel to Mexico have also pledged support. I commend each 
of these nations for coming to a nation in dire need of assistance. 
Many of my constituents ask what they can do to help, or how they can 
find their loved ones. Those who are 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 State Department also suggested contacting agencies such as the 
Red Cross or Mercy Corps to help with relief efforts.
  For loved ones, 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.
  This weekend I will return to Houston, where I will meet with my 
Haitian-American constituents. It is important to mention that the 
Department of Homeland Security has already put a hold on the scheduled 
deportation of Haitians in America. I cannot imagine that any Member of 
Congress will rise to challenge this assistance to Haitian families in 
their time of need.
  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.

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