[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            HAITIAN ORPHANS

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am overwhelmed as I have 
seen the outpouring of support for the Haitian people and also the 
concern of this Congress. I would ask that we move forward on one 
particular interest and concern, and that is the orphans of Haiti.
  Already before the earthquake there were 1.5 million orphans. Now, we 
have seen hundreds of thousands of children who are now without 
parents.
  Over the weekend, I was able to secure and be able to send two 
planeloads of doctors and nurses and supplies. Thank you, Texas. In 
that they were operating on a number of individuals, particularly 
children, 150 surgeries, 600 patients, it is important that we are able 
to airlift the most badly injured of children and others, particularly 
children, out of Haiti.
  I will be introducing legislation and working with the administration 
to establish refugee status so these children can be airlifted in an 
organized manner to have surgery; otherwise, they will die. It is 
important for us to join together, both sides of the aisle, to find 
constructive ways to expedite caring for those who are now dying. Our 
children are our priority. As Chair of the Congressional Children's 
Caucus, that will be my focus, to save the children of Haiti.

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