[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H231-H241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
                    EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO HAITI

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1021) expressing condolences to and 
solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating 
earthquake of January 12, 2010.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1021

       Whereas on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake 
     struck the country of Haiti;
       Whereas according to the United States Geological Survey 
     (USGS) the earthquake epicenter was located approximately 10 
     miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince;
       Whereas the earthquake has been followed by dangerous 
     aftershocks, including two of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude, and with 
     the most severe to date, at 6.1, coming on January 20, 2010;
       Whereas casualty estimates, still being compiled, as well 
     as infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports, 
     hospitals, and residential dwellings, place this earthquake 
     as the worst cataclysm to hit Haiti in over two centuries;
       Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 people have been directly 
     affected by the disaster in Haiti, nearly one-third of the 
     country's population, who are currently at risk of long-term 
     displacement and vulnerability;
       Whereas the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti 
     (MINUSTAH) headquarters collapsed with approximately 150 
     staff members inside, including the head of the mission, Hedi 
     Annabi, causing the largest loss of life in United Nations 
     history;
       Whereas an unknown number of individuals remain trapped 
     under collapsed buildings, as rescue teams work around-the-
     clock to locate and extract survivors;
       Whereas the destruction of infrastructure, particularly to 
     the port, airport, roads, and telecommunications, continues 
     to hinder the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance 
     in Haiti;
       Whereas Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in 
     the Western Hemisphere,

[[Page H232]]

     and prior to the earthquake was ranked 149 out of 182 
     countries on the United Nations Human Development Index;
       Whereas prior to the earthquake, Haiti was still in the 
     process of recovering from a ruinous recent series of 
     hurricanes and tropical storms, food shortages and rising 
     commodity prices, and political instability, but was showing 
     encouraging signs of improvement;
       Whereas in addition to the pressure to secure communities 
     and prevent looters from causing further harm to their 
     citizens who are struggling to recover, Haiti's penitentiary 
     collapsed and spilled untold numbers of criminals into an 
     already disturbing security situation;
       Whereas a number of children legally confirmed as orphans 
     are eligible for intercountry adoption, and the uncertain 
     welfare of children who are already in the process of being 
     adopted is of urgent concern to their prospective adoptive 
     parents in the United States;
       Whereas it is in the interests of these orphans and their 
     prospective adoptive parents to facilitate and expedite legal 
     adoptions of Haitian orphans to the United States;
       Whereas President Obama vowed the ``unwavering support'' of 
     the United States and pledged a ``swift, coordinated and 
     aggressive effort to save lives and support the recovery in 
     Haiti'';
       Whereas the response to the tragedy from the global 
     community has been overwhelmingly positive;
       Whereas the initial emergency response of the men and women 
     of the United States Government, led by the United States 
     Agency for International Development and United States 
     Southern Command, has been swift and resolute;
       Whereas MINUSTAH peacekeepers, while still trying to rescue 
     their colleagues in their headquarters, have taken a leading 
     role to assist in clearing roads and providing security 
     around Port-au-Prince to facilitate aid into the earthquake 
     disaster zone;
       Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Security 
     has temporarily halted the deportation of Haitian nationals 
     to Haiti in response to the devastation caused by the 
     earthquake;
       Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Security 
     granted the designation of Temporary Protected Status for 
     Haitian nationals who are in the United States and unable to 
     return to their country due to the destruction and 
     humanitarian crisis in Haiti;
       Whereas individuals, businesses, and philanthropic 
     organizations across the United States and throughout the 
     international community have responded in support of Haiti 
     and its populace during this time of crisis, sometimes in 
     innovative ways such as fundraising through text messaging;
       Whereas throughout this terrible calamity, the Haitian 
     people continue to demonstrate unwavering resilience, 
     dignity, and courage; and
       Whereas once proper surveys and assessments are conducted, 
     the initial and crucial emergency relief response will likely 
     move to a comprehensive mission requiring sustained 
     assistance from the United States and the international 
     community for reconstruction and development efforts: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy for the 
     horrific loss of life and the physical and psychological 
     damage caused by the earthquake of January 12, 2010;
       (2) expresses solidarity with Haitians, Haitian Americans, 
     and all those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been 
     affected by the tragedy, including United States Embassy 
     personnel, United Nations peacekeepers, and humanitarian 
     workers;
       (3) commends the efforts and honors the sacrifice of the 
     men and women of the Government of Haiti, the United States 
     Government, the United Nations, and the international 
     community in their immediate response to those affected by 
     this calamity;
       (4) commends the efforts of the American people, including 
     the Haitian-American community, to provide relief to 
     families, friends, and unknown peoples suffering in the 
     country;
       (5) supports the efforts of the Administration to provide 
     and coordinate international humanitarian assistance and to 
     provide relief to affected communities;
       (6) expresses support for the recovery and long-term 
     reconstruction needs of Haiti;
       (7) recognizes that the recovery and long-term needs of 
     Haiti will require a sustained commitment by the United 
     States and international community based on comprehensive 
     assessments of the development needs for Haiti;
       (8) urges those who hold debt against Haiti, including the 
     Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary 
     Fund, and all other regional and international institutions 
     and countries, to immediately suspend further debt payments, 
     and to develop processes to cancel all remaining debt; and
       (9) urges the President--
       (A) to continue to make available to United States 
     agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private voluntary 
     organizations, regional institutions, and United Nations 
     agencies the resources necessary to confront the effects and 
     consequences of this natural disaster;
       (B) to provide, when the emergency subsides, assistance in 
     partnership with the Government of Haiti and in coordination 
     with other donors to begin the reconstruction of Haiti;
       (C) to undertake comprehensive assessments of the long-term 
     needs for recovery and development in Haiti, ensure 
     transparency and accountability, and lead coordination 
     efforts with international actors who share in the goal of a 
     better future for Haiti and are willing to support the costs 
     of meeting those needs; and
       (D) to utilize new and innovative thinking in providing 
     long-term assistance to Haiti, including tapping into the 
     insight and immense potential of the Haitian Diaspora, to 
     help Haitians rebuild upon the strongest possible foundation, 
     in order to promote a stable and sustainable future for 
     Haiti.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution 
which expresses our deep condolences and solidarity with the people of 
Haiti, and all of those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been 
affected by the tragic earthquake of January 12, 2010.
  Let me first thank our Speaker, Chairman Berman, Chairman Payne and 
Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for helping to bring this resolution to the 
floor today. Also I want to express my deep gratitude to our staffs for 
working on this to make sure that the resolution came forward today. I 
would also like to recognize my colleagues in the Congressional Black 
Caucus.
  The CBC has a long history of working with the Haitian people and the 
Haitian American community and the Haitian Government. And many of us 
have traveled to that country many, many times. During the current 
crisis, the CBC has and will continue to work closely with the Obama 
administration and outside organizations to provide whatever assistance 
is needed for ongoing relief and recovery efforts. And I am very proud 
of the fact that each and every member of the Congressional Black 
Caucus has signed on as original cosponsors of this resolution.
  More than a week has passed since the 7.0 earthquake. Again, many 
aftershocks, just today another 6.1 aftershock, which has devastated 
the country of Haiti. We have all seen the horrific images, and our 
hearts are heavy for the Haitian people and all of those affected by 
this tragedy. An estimated 3 million people have been directly affected 
by this catastrophe, leaving over 1 million homeless, and many at risk 
of long-term displacement and vulnerability.
  The latest figures estimate 200,000 people may have been killed as a 
result of this disaster. The massive number of casualties, as well as 
the extensive infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports, 
hospitals, residential dwellings, marks this earthquake as the worst 
natural disaster to strike Haiti in over two centuries.
  Currently, our government is engaged now in one of our largest 
humanitarian relief efforts in our history. To date, USAID has provided 
$100 million to Haiti for relief efforts, and more is likely on the 
way. So I have to commend at this time the men and women of the 
Government of Haiti, of our own government, of our Armed Services, the 
United Nations, the international community, our NGOs, our neighbors in 
the Caribbean and Latin America, and throughout the world in their 
immediate response to assist those affected by this calamity.
  We continue to work around the clock to provide as much food, water, 
and emergency health care as possible under these unimaginable 
circumstances. So it is important that these emergency supplies be 
expedited, and not caught up in bureaucratic hurdles. The same goes for 
many relief and rescue organizations trying to evacuate survivors for 
emergency care. The red tape must be cut to save as many lives as 
possible.

[[Page H233]]

  Let me applaud the Haitian American community for providing relief to 
family and friends and the entire country. Also I have to praise the 
efforts of the American people at large, who have once again 
demonstrated their compassion by providing aid to people they have 
never met, never met, but who are suffering nonetheless just miles off 
our shore.
  This resolution summarizes the unfortunate facts that have occurred 
in Haiti, but also, in addition to supporting the efforts of the 
Haitian people and being in solidarity with the Haitian Government and 
the Haitian people at this point during this rescue and recovery phase, 
this resolution also recognizes, in a bipartisan way, support for the 
recovery and long-term reconstruction of Haiti, and also recognizes 
that the recovery and long-term needs of Haiti will require a sustained 
commitment, mind you a sustained commitment by the United States and 
the international community, based on a comprehensive strategy based on 
what the Haitian people and the Government of Haiti have deemed 
necessary and required for their full recovery and reconstruction.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today proudly as the lead Republican sponsor of 
House Resolution 1021, expressing condolences to and solidarity with 
the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake on 
January 12, 2010. Last week Haiti was hit by the largest earthquake to 
strike that Nation in over two centuries. Today Haiti was affected by a 
6.1 magnitude quake or aftershock.
  When the original quake hit last week, it was a day like any other. 
With elections on the horizon, a sense of stability slowly starting to 
be felt on the island, some believed that things were finally starting 
to look up for Haiti. And then without a warning tens of thousands were 
suddenly victims. Millions were left homeless, or hungry, or both. 
Buildings collapsed, countless disappeared, and the world was left 
asking how and why. The tremendous loss caused by this tragedy will 
stay with us long after the roads have been cleared and the physical 
wounds have healed.
  My most sincere prayers and thoughts go to all who have been impacted 
by this horrible catastrophe. The desolation left in its wake is beyond 
words. And yet there is one thing that has been made clear. The people 
of Haiti are not alone in this trouble. Since news of the earthquake 
reached our shores, the American people have opened their hearts and 
their wallets to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Both through the many 
donations of money, food and water, volunteer work, and through the 
U.S. agencies providing disaster relief assistance, our Nation has been 
working around the clock to provide immediate help to all who have been 
affected by this horrific tragedy.
  U.S. Coast Guard aircraft began arriving almost immediately to 
transport injured persons and conduct aerial assessments of the 
situation on the ground. Coast Guard cutters with medical and other 
humanitarian supplies arrived soon after, followed by our USAID 
Disaster Assistance Response Team, multiple U.S. urban search and 
rescue teams, including two from my area of Miami-Dade County, the 82nd 
Airborne Division and Marine contingency, emergency medical teams and 
food assistance, and of course the remarkable contributions made by 
private U.S. citizens and corporations, totaling over $40 million as of 
last week and still growing.
  In addition, we have seen an outpouring of support from countries and 
people around the world. Among many steps taken by countries around the 
world, Israel sent a 220-person medical delegation and set up a much-
needed field hospital. The European Union has reportedly pledged 200 
million euros to help rebuild Haiti, over and above emergency aid that 
is already being sent by them. The British Government will triple its 
aid to Haiti to $10 million.
  Israel quickly set up a full-service field hospital, as I mentioned 
before. But let me tell you, Madam Speaker, what it was equipped with: 
operating rooms, an intensive care ward, a maternity ward, a pediatrics 
ward, incubator units, a pharmacy, x-ray equipment, 10 tons of medical 
equipment, 90 beds, 66 intensive care beds, two delivery beds, 
approximately 250 personnel, including 40 doctors and specialists, 20 
nurses, and several paramedics.
  The search and rescue teams of the Israeli Defense Forces were also 
quickly deployed to Haiti, and include about 30 operators, and dozens 
of operations personnel, comprising logistics, information technology, 
communications, and even canine units. More IDF delegations are 
scheduled to depart to Haiti this very week.
  As a result, this resolution importantly calls for certain 
accountability measures to be put into place in order to ensure that 
the support is delivered in a way that is immediate, that is targeted, 
that is coordinated, and that is transparent.
  Now more than ever it is critical that our assistance go where it is 
supposed to go, when it is supposed to get there, and how it is 
supposed to get there. We have a responsibility to the people we 
represent and to the people we wish to help to ensure that the aid 
reaches its intended recipients and is used for its intended purposes. 
This is particularly important moving forward.
  Again, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to all of those who are 
impacted by this series of earthquakes, and I reiterate the pride I 
feel as I look at how the American people, our constituents, have 
responded to the cries of anguish and the cries for help of the Haitian 
people.
  Madam Speaker, with that I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield to my friend from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for the purpose of making a unanimous consent 
request.
  (Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank my colleague from California.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, expressing my 
condolences on the situation in Haiti and praising Fairfax County's 
urban search and rescue team that is in Haiti, 80-strong plus, and 
having saved a number of lives already.
  In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti, 
the men and women of these highly skilled teams worked together in a 
chaotic environment to save fifteen people (as of Tues. Jan 19).
  On January 12, 2010--one day after the devastating earthquake that 
struck Haiti--the men and women of Fairfax County's urban search and 
rescue team, Virginia Task Force 1, deployed to Haiti.
  The task force consisted of 72 personnel, 6 search and rescue 
canines, and about 48 tons of rescue equipment and supplies. The team 
rescued a United Nations security guard and assisted a French search 
and rescue team in removing seven Americans from a hotel.
  Two days after the earthquake, a second team of 42 men and women from 
Fairfax County deployed to Haiti. Both Fairfax County urban search and 
rescue teams merged and rescued a 21 year-old female who was trapped in 
a multi-story building.
  I commend the men and women of USAR Team 1 on their heroic effort, 
mourn for those who lost their lives, and pray for those awaiting aid. 
To the Fairfax team and all first responders in Haiti, I say ``Stay 
Safe'' and ``Go with God.''
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield such 
time as he may consume to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee 
on Africa and Global Affairs, also the Chair of the Congressional Black 
Caucus's International Affairs Task Force, a real leader who has worked 
on Haiti all of his life, Congressman Donald Payne from New Jersey.
  Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. And let me thank the Chairperson of 
the Congressional Black Caucus for the outstanding job that she has 
done in this whole effort, Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros-
Lehtinen, and all of those who have come to show their support and what 
they have been doing up to now and what we intend to do in the future.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to extend my deepest condolences to the people 
of Haiti, Haitian Americans, and all of those who have been affected by 
the earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12.
  Words certainly cannot describe the pain and psychological trauma of 
the tragedy and its cause, and there is no way that we can just 
envision the tragic loss of life from this devastating 7.0 Richter 
scale earthquake.

[[Page H234]]

  The other thing about the earthquake is that it was only 6 miles 
below the surface, which many earthquakes go as far as 100, 150 miles 
down. So the trauma of this earthquake was just totally devastating. 
Actually, we have had several aftershocks, a 5.9 and a 5.5. We had 
another one today of 6.1 on the Richter scale. So this is far from 
over.

                              {time}  1515

  It has been estimated that over 3 million people have been directly 
affected by the disaster in Haiti. Nearly one-third of the country's 
population is at risk for long-term displacement and vulnerability, not 
to forget the unknown numbers of individuals who remain trapped in 
collapsed buildings.
  I want to thank the rescue teams, the nongovernmental organizations, 
and other emergency responders who are working around the clock to 
locate and extract survivors. I certainly commend the efforts of the 
humanitarian response that is currently underway, particularly the 
efforts of all persons and relief organizations. Donors so far have 
contributed over $220 million to this effort. And by simply texting on 
phones, $22 million has been raised at $5 and $10 a clip. This is 
really showing the great heart of the American people. Even today, the 
Dominican Republic just announced $2.5 million that they are donating, 
and as you know that is a country that struggles financially 
themselves.
  The disaster was a tremendous setback. Haiti was starting to move 
into a new beginning, and we now will see many of the problems of high 
food prices and food shortages that have been caused by this natural 
disaster. We certainly need to really remain very committed to this 
community at this very difficult time.
  Haiti has a longstanding history with the United States. We heard the 
charge today talk about Haiti and its relationship to the United 
States. It fought for the independence of our country. It was 
responsible for Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the United 
States because they were cash-poor after the war that they lost. The 
whole question of Lewis and Clark was able to move forward.
  And so we are intertwined with Haiti. We have a great deal of 
connection with Haiti. Once again, I would like to certainly praise the 
chairperson of the CBC. And let me correct, the Democratic Republic of 
Congo was the country that had recently made the contribution; even 
more spectacular because of the tremendous problems that we have seen 
there.
  We wish to say to President Preval, who is doing everything that he 
can, and the Haiti Government, that we will work as partners with them. 
This is just the beginning. We are going to stay involved with them 
until we see a completion of what they need.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to yield such time 
as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), an 
esteemed member of the Appropriations Committee.
  Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentlewoman.
  I wanted to rise in support of this resolution, but I also wanted to 
commend those who are involved in the rescue effort and the 
international communities, the governments, and the nongovernmental 
organizations, as well as the private rescue teams who have been on the 
ground.
  I also want to give high marks to those people who had already been 
down in Haiti. One of them is Pastor Freddie Hebron from Savannah, 
Georgia, whose church has an ongoing missionary down there. Pastor 
Hebron was actually unaccounted for for about 38 hours, and the 
community was very concerned about him, but he is okay. He is still 
down there, although communication with him is a little bit spotty.
  We also had another group, Pastor Bowman with Islands Church of 
Christ, who is down there led by Dr. John Rowlett and Dr. Brian 
Kornblatt, 14 American citizens who were down there and located outside 
of Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit. And yet from their area, 
they started immediately dispensing medicine to the victims of the 
earthquake, eventually ran out of medicine, and then were stuck in an 
area isolated from the American Embassy, about 25 miles. They were able 
to get let out of there on Saturday at somewhat great danger and peril 
to them because at that point the street situation was beginning to 
deteriorate, with gangs and mobs that were out there and a lot of 
chaos. Richard Towns, who is a former marine, was one in their group 
and was able to get inside the Embassy. Once they got near it, and 
after a number of other obstacles, this group was able to return home 
to Savannah, Georgia, on Saturday with lots of prayer.
  However, sadly, we still have two constituents from my area of 
Georgia who are unaccounted for; one is Courtney Hayes, who is a 
college student with Lynn University. She is a native of Douglas, 
Georgia. And another is a businessman named David Apperson, who is from 
Adel, Georgia. Both of them were staying in the Hotel Montana. Hotel 
Montana has suffered many losses. The rescue crew has brought out eight 
people from Hotel Montana, but there are others who are believed to be 
still trapped inside there.
  In a conference call with the families yesterday we were told that 
the search-and-rescue teams--and some are private, some are 
international, and some are American; one of them is from Florida, one 
is from Fairfax County, and one is from Los Angeles--they're doing 
everything they can with scope cameras and listening devices and dogs 
and so forth to try to find whatever cavities remain in this rubble and 
focus on those areas where somebody could be trapped and surviving. The 
cavity question is actually more important right now than food or 
water, and so they're focusing on that.
  A major concern of the families is what happens when the Government 
of Haiti, which is what we were told yesterday, the Government of Haiti 
decides that there is no point in further looking for survivors at the 
Hotel Montana. What we're concerned about as Americans is that we 
should make that decision, not the Haitian Government. I have written a 
letter today to the President, along with Congressman Rooney and 
Congressman Mica, who also have constituents in there, to not call off 
that search because we believe it is very important that the American 
Government do everything that it can for the Haitians and the other 
international citizens, but also do everything we can foremost for 
Americans who are down there who are unaccounted for.
  So I would ask that formally of my colleagues--that Hotel Montana we 
know has some American citizens trapped in there, we do not know their 
condition, I hope that other Members of Congress will join me in 
calling for that search to continue. I also would call on the 
administration to do that, and commend the good work that they are 
doing all around and realize the challenge ahead of them. But my 
concern right now is the Hotel Montana. And I would ask for your 
prayers for Courtney Hayes, a college student, and David Apperson, who 
is a businessman from Georgia, who are both down there and still 
unaccounted for.
  With that, I commend you in support of this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. I would like to yield 1 minute now to our 
majority leader, Representative Hoyer from the great State of Maryland.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and congratulate her 
for her leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus and her service on 
the Appropriations Committee, and for the focus that she brings to 
making sure that we do not forget those who are less fortunate than we.
  We all join together in expressing our sorrow over last week's 
earthquake, which shattered the lives of so many of the people in 
Haiti, and as has been mentioned, others who were visiting Haiti. I do 
so fully knowing that no words we say here can rebuild a collapsed home 
or heal the wounds of the living or bury the dead.
  At times like these, we say words fail; they fail to capture the true 
scope of devastation and suffering, and they fail to effect any change 
for the better. Nevertheless, it is still important to express the 
responsibility we feel to the 3 million Haitians killed, injured or 
displaced by this disaster, the same responsibility we hope that others 
would feel toward us in a time of need. That is why America is joining 
with the

[[Page H235]]

international community, NGOs, and the United Nations to provide 
disaster relief and aid in rebuilding. That is why President Obama has 
pledged $100 million in disaster aid, and why American personnel are on 
the scene saving lives and aiding in the recovery.
  The Los Angeles Daily News reported this week on the California 
firefighters whose backbreaking work gives us all something of which to 
be proud. I quote from that article: They were bone weary from digging 
through the rubble for 5 hours Sunday, losing faith fast. When the 
cheering began, it was like a shot of adrenalin, ``USA, USA,'' the 
large Haitian crowd standing in the street yelled as Los Angeles County 
Fire Captain Bill Monahan and his search-dog rescue team finally freed 
a young woman trapped under her collapsed hotel for 5 days. ``Bill said 
it brought him to tears,'' said Debra Tosch, who is the executive 
director of the Search Dog Foundation.
  We know that there are stories of grief and loss to go alongside such 
stories of hope. We know that Haiti's crisis goes far deeper than the 
earthquake. But we also know that when our words fail in the face of a 
tragedy of this scope, it is our responsibility and our honor and our 
moral duty to act.
  I urge the House to pass this resolution. I urge the Obama 
administration to give its urgent attention to coordinating and 
overseeing America's part in the relief effort. And then, when some 
degree of civility and stability has returned to that country, let us 
not forget that the road ahead will be long and difficult, but it is a 
necessary one if the Haitian people are to return to a life which will 
give them the kinds of opportunities and stability that we wish for 
ourselves.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank and applaud the American people 
for the generosity and the compassion they have shown in the wake of 
this horrific tragedy. According to our State Department, the American 
Red Cross effort has received over 2 million contributors and raised 
over $23 million so far. In addition, we continue to see admirable 
contributions from many American corporations and businesses. My own 
district of Miami, Florida, has sent two urban search-and-rescue teams 
to Haiti and has pledged $60,000 to relief efforts. The Port of Miami 
and Miami International Airport are waiving certain fees for relief-
related efforts. Also, several other assets from south Florida are also 
being utilized, including U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, which is 
serving as the operation center for the U.S. response in Haiti. Coast 
Guard Key West and Coast Guard Miami Beach, also Homestead Air Reserve 
Base, a departure point for the C-130s that are carrying relief, 
supplies, and personnel to Haiti, are playing an important role in this 
relief effort.
  And just today, the USNS Comfort received its first Haitian patients, 
a 6-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man. They were flown via helicopter 
to the hospital ship. This is a nearly 900-foot floating hospital. The 
Comfort is reported to be carrying about 550 medical staff and about 60 
civilian mariners.
  So the American people have opened up their hearts and their wallets 
to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti. As a people and as a Nation, the 
United States will continue to move hand in hand with the people of 
Haiti to swiftly respond to and recover from this tragedy.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. I would like to now yield 1 minute to our 
great Speaker from the State of California, Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

                              {time}  1530

  Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentlewoman, Congresswoman Lee, for her 
leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor as Chair of the 
Congressional Black Caucus and as a leader on this issue as well.
  To Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, ranking member on the Foreign 
Relations Committee, once again, thank you for your leadership.
  Donald Payne, our leader--my goodness, what a conscience he is and 
has been on this subject for a very long time and, really, for the 
alleviation of poverty and the eradication of disease throughout the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, obviously the thoughts and prayers of this entire 
Congress are with the people of Haiti, who are suffering from a 
devastating earthquake that hit their country on January 12. Members of 
Congress are committed to helping the Haitian people recover from this 
tragedy and to rebuild their homes, communities and lives in the days, 
weeks and years to come.
  Again, I thank Congresswoman Lee, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, and 
Congressman Payne for their leadership today and throughout the years 
in support of the people of Haiti.
  It is a source of pride to the Americans that when President Obama 
spoke about this subject, he said to the Haitian people, ``You will not 
be forsaken. You will not be forgotten.''
  What a beautiful sentiment reflecting the values of our country, the 
concern of the President, personally, that he had for the people of 
Haiti, the leadership he provided as Commander in Chief to deploy the 
forces necessary to help bring order there, and as President of the 
United States to speak with heads of state from other countries to 
coordinate the effort of relief for Haiti.
  We are still learning the staggering extent of the devastation. The 
Government of Haiti estimates the death toll is close to 200,000 
souls--200,000 people made in the image and likeness of God, 200,000 
people whose families have been devastated by this loss. It's just such 
a staggering snuffing out of life, and more than 1.5 million people 
homeless.
  Anyone who has ever visited Haiti has seen the extreme poverty there, 
the poorest country in this hemisphere; but with the poverty that they 
have economically and with the hope that they have otherwise, anyone 
who has visited there can testify to the fact that the sparkle in their 
eyes and their hopes for the future and their love of their children 
and their love of life is very special. It stands out.
  I've been to many countries to visit the poor and to see what our 
efforts nationally and globally are to alleviate poverty and eradicate 
disease; and in Haiti you see a sparkle that is so special, and that's 
why this seems so very, very sad. We know for certain that too many 
Haitians are suffering right now. Far too many are injured and hungry. 
Far too many grieve the loss of loved ones.
  Again, I am proud of the swift coordinated response that the 
President had. He extended TPS, at long last, temporary protection 
status. We've been asking for that for a long time, long before 
President Obama was President, for Haitians living in the U.S., and it 
ensures that no one will be sent back against their will to the 
devastation. I talked earlier about the President's leadership in this 
regard. At this tragic time, we can take steps right away to ensure a 
brighter future for Haiti.
  I do believe, as one who comes from earthquake country--California, 
where we've experienced earthquakes; right, Congresswoman?--that there 
is a possibility that Haiti can leapfrog over all the physical 
devastation there to an economy and a future that is so very bright 
that this can create a boom economy for the people there and make a big 
difference in their lives. This can only happen if we all help.
  Already today, the House has passed bipartisan charitable tax 
deduction legislation to encourage and incentivize assistance from the 
American people to the people of Haiti. I hope the Senate will soon 
follow and send this bill to the President's desk.
  Next, the International Development Bank should move forward with 
full debt cancellation for Haiti. International institutions should be 
removing obstacles to Haiti's enormous long-term reconstruction 
challenges, including providing the new assistance in the form of 
grants and not loans.
  Third, I will be asking the appropriate committees to work together 
with the administration and the Haitian Government to see how Congress 
can support long-term sustainable development plans for Haiti; and 
aren't we fortunate that Congresswoman Lee serves on one of those 
appropriate committees, and the chairwoman is here, Congresswoman 
Lowey, of the subcommittee that is so important to this.
  A compassionate and generous response from the United States is 
essential to stabilizing Haiti. While there has been a strong initial 
response to

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the crisis, there must be an initiative to provide sustainable 
assistance that empowers Haiti's institutions and the Haitian people to 
build a future that is better than the past.
  We value the strong relationship between Haiti and the United States. 
Our countries share a long and difficult history in some respects, but 
that binds us together. Wherever Haiti immigrants have settled, they 
have thrived, and they have contributed to the welfare and the well-
being of their new home country, never forgetting their Haitian legacy.
  We know about the artistic genius and entrepreneurial spirit of the 
Haitian people--Michael Jong, are you listening?--as so many others. 
They will succeed if they are only given the opportunity. Today, with 
this resolution, we are saying to the Haitian people: In your hour of 
greatest need, America stands with you.
  Again, I thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership on this important 
issue and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen as well.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Chair 
of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on The Western Hemisphere, the 
gentleman from New York, Chairman Engel.
  Mr. ENGEL. I thank my friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Lee), for yielding to me.
  Madam Speaker, as chairman of The Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of 
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I rise in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 1021, which expresses condolences to and solidarity with the 
people of Haiti in the aftermath of the horrific and devastating 
earthquake of January 12.
  It is with great sorrow that we come to the floor today to lament the 
catastrophic blow to Haiti from last week's natural disaster. Tens, if 
not hundreds, of thousands of people have died; and hundreds of 
thousands are homeless in the wake of the earthquake. Our hearts go out 
to the Haitian people as they cope with the calamity that has befallen 
their nation.
  While we mourn the great loss of life in Haiti, we must resolve to 
stand with the Haitian people as they rebuild their lives. Due to my 
long experience with Haiti from hearings in my subcommittee, visiting 
the country and, most importantly, my relationship with my Haitian 
American constituents--I have a large Haitian American community in my 
district in Spring Valley, New York--I know that Haiti will overcome 
this tremendous adversity.
  However, Haiti and its people will need U.S. and international help 
for the foreseeable future. It is reassuring to see that the Obama 
administration has quickly marshaled the resources of the U.S. 
Government in coordination with the international community.
  I thank President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their tireless 
efforts.
  It is also important to recognize the generosity of millions of 
private American citizens who have responded immediately to this 
crisis, and we must thank the dedicated U.S. military and government 
personnel and the thousands of NGO volunteers and staff for their truly 
valiant efforts.
  We should also remember that the challenges faced by Haiti will 
continue past this immediate period and will extend into the long term. 
The U.S. and global community will need to offer robust assistance to 
make sure Haiti can rebuild from this shocking disaster.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to praise President Obama's decision 
to grant temporary protection status, or TPS, to Haitian nationals 
living in the U.S. Representative Rangel and I led the New York 
congressional delegation in writing to President Obama in support of 
this TPS designation.
  On behalf of my constituents and Haitian Americans around the 
country, I offer my gratitude to the President, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same in supporting this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. Before recognizing the next speaker, I yield 
to my friend, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), for the 
purpose of making a unanimous consent request.
  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise to voice my condolences and 
pledge to stand in solidarity with Haiti.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution and to express 
my sincere condolences to the Haitian people and to their friends and 
family around the world, including Haitian-Americans living in my 
district. Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with them on 
ways to improve the live of Haitians, and I know we will continue that 
work together.
  Last week's 7.0-magnitude earthquake was an almost unimaginable 
tragedy for Haiti. The capital city was flattened, tens of thousands of 
people were killed, and countless others lost what few possessions they 
had as homes, business, and schools crumbled.
  I have traveled to Haiti several times, most recently last spring, 
and I am always struck by the incredible resilience of the Haitian 
people in the face of extreme poverty and devastating natural 
disasters. Still, this most recent tragedy is absolutely heartbreaking, 
particularly at a time when glimmers of light were beginning to appear 
for Haiti's future.
  Emergency assistance in the coming days, weeks, and months will be 
critical. Earthquake survivors desperately need food, water, and 
medicine. But that cannot be the end of the story. Even before the 
earthquake, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, 
with 80 percent of the population living on less than $2 per day. In 
recent years Haiti has weathered serious food riots after rising prices 
forced parents to feed mudcakes to their children, as well as a series 
of devastating storms.
  So long as Haiti remains a country without a viable economy, it will 
remain dependent on assistance. We must continue to work to make sure 
that food, water, and medicine reach those who desperately need it 
right now, but, in the months and years ahead, we also need to work to 
bring real economic development to Haiti.
  Madam Speaker, I extend my sincere condolences to the people of 
Haiti, and I join with my colleagues and the Obama administration in 
pledging U.S. support in the days, months, and years ahead.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member of 
the Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Watson).
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I stand proudly with my colleagues in 
supporting H. Res. 1021, which extends our heartfelt condolences and 
support for the people of Haiti and for those who are there serving 
humanitarian relief.
  This is an opportunity for us, in the midst of all this tragedy, to 
address one of the poorest nations in the world, and it is located in 
the Western Hemisphere. It is time for us not only to meet the emergent 
needs but to fulfill our commitment to this country from now on in 
perpetuity.
  So I commend the speedy work of the Congressional Black Caucus, of 
all of the Members of this House, and of those on the other side of the 
aisle for addressing these needs and for collaborating with the world 
to bring the kind of relief that is needed for our neighbor to the 
south. Congratulations.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member of 
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also Chair of the Homeland 
Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure 
Protection, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I thank the chairwoman very much, and I 
thank her for her leadership on this issue, joined with the chairman of 
the full committee and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Chairman Berman; the Congressional 
Black Caucus; and so many Members who have issued their outpouring of 
support. I thank Chairman Payne for his continued efforts, and I thank 
all of the Members who have sizable populations of Haitians in their 
districts.
  There is a very active Haitian American population in Houston, Texas. 
We have been working. We have been pouring out our hearts, but we've 
also rolled up our sleeves. I believe there are several issues, as we 
support this resolution, that should be focused on.
  One, we must have a long-term response, a Marshall Plan, in essence, 
to help rebuild Haiti. Two, we must deal

[[Page H237]]

with the immediate crisis, emergency, loss of life, loss of loved ones, 
the ability to have medical care, and, yes, protecting our offerings.
  So my community met on this past Saturday with the county government, 
the State government, the city government, Mayor Annise Parker and her 
representatives, the fire department, and our National and Texas 
Reserve, committing ourselves the resources and assets to be able to be 
of assistance. I was delighted to have been able to send from Texas two 
plane-loads of doctors, nurses and medical supplies, led by Dr. Richard 
Toussaint, where this past weekend they were able to do 150 surgeries 
and 600 visits.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 10 
seconds.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Moving forward, we will focus on relief 
efforts for the children, providing more medical care and, yes, 
insisting on making sure that we rebuild this great city and this great 
nation. We can do this. We are standing by their side. We will not 
leave them alone.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1021--``Expressing 
Condolences to and Solidarity with the People of Haiti in the aftermath 
of the devastating Earthquake of January 12th, 2010.''
  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 but the damage to 
buildings is extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated 
to be in the hundreds of thousands.
  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 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, but 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.
  America is responding, and will continue to respond with immediate 
humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island 
nation rebuild their livelihoods. 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, I believe 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 critical resources were 
positioned to support the response and recovery effort, including 
efforts to find and assist American citizens in Haiti.
  Within days of last week's devastating earthquake, U.S. Southern 
Command deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief 
efforts in the aftermath of one of the largest natural disasters in the 
western hemisphere. The team included U.S. military engineers, 
operational planners, and a command and control group and communication 
specialists arriving on two C-130 Hercules aircraft. Since, there has 
been a tremendous interagency response with support and partnering 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.
  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 C3 million ($4.37 
million) with more funds likely. Countless other nations from Germany, 
to China, to Israel to Mexico to have also pledged support. I commend 
each of these nations for coming to our neighboring nation in dire need 
of assistance.
  Many of my constituents have asked what they can do to help, or how 
they can find their loved ones. Those who are interested in helping 
immediately can 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 outpouring of support and funding from the American people was 
both instant and sustained. According to the Washington Post, the text 
messaging effort raised $5 million in its first day, breaking the 
previous one-day record of about $450,000. Text-message donations 
continue to play a larger-than-expected role in the push for earthquake 
relief in Haiti. As of late Sunday, the American Red Cross said that it 
had collected pledges of about $103 million, including $22 million 
through the text donation program. Each donor should be proud of their 
contribution to help their brothers and sisters in Haiti.
  Financially, 2009 was not an easy year for many Americans. Although 
thousands of jobs were created and we are back on the road to economic 
recovery, Americans lived on tighter budgets than usual. This 
legislation passed today will allow those Americans who have generously 
donated money to Haiti to receive their tax break this year instead of 
next year.
  In January of 2005, Congress enacted this type of relief for 
individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian 
Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 
241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without 
objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. I 
hope that this legislation, like our response to the 2004 tsunami, will 
encourage Americans to contribute more money to Haiti. As Haiti starts 
on its long recovery, every dollar is critically important. Americans 
have responded in great numbers, and I am proud to represent such a 
compassionate and generous nation.
  Americans are not only giving their money, they are also giving their 
time and expertise as well. This weekend, I arranged for a team of 
seven doctors, six nurses, two techs, and two search and rescue 
volunteers to fly to Haiti and provide immediate humanitarian support. 
This team led by Dr. Richard Toussaint from Forest Park Medical Center 
in Dallas Texas arrived in Haiti just after noon on Saturday. From 
there, the doctors made their way to Hospital Sacre-Couer where, in 
roughly two days, they performed about 70 amputations, surgically 
treated about 150 patients, and saw about 600 patients total. I commend 
this team of medical personnel for their selfless actions and 
willingness to spend their own time and money to come to the aid of 
people they had never met.
  Additionally, I hosted a Houston-based Haiti relief effort called 
``Texans helping Haitians'' with city leadership and the Haitian 
community in the aftermath of this horrible disaster. Groups included 
in the effort to provide supplies and medical assistance to Haiti were: 
Texas Medical Center, Texas Dental Association, Search and Rescue 
Organizations, the Haitian Multicultural Association, Haitian Caribbean 
Organization of Texas, Caribbean Impact Foundation, and Haiti Counts.
  We also helped coordinate the safe return of six Houston Rotarians 
that were stranded in the mountains and we are now working with Office 
of Foreign Disaster Assistance on the transport of orphans to awaiting 
families here in the U.S.
  Throughout my time in Congress, I have been highly involved in 
strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Haiti. I have 
worked to establish positive and productive partnerships with local 
development officials, non-profit organizations, and the Haitian 
Diaspora to establish a strong web of support for the nation of Haiti. 
In collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus, I have been a 
continual advocate of providing assistance to Haiti to strengthen their 
fragile democratic processes, continue to improve security, and promote 
economic development among other concerns such the protection of human 
rights, combating narcotics, arms, and human trafficking, addressing 
Haitian migration, and alleviating poverty.
  Last year, I introduced H.R. 264, the ``Save Immigration 
Comprehensive Act of 2009.'' Among other things, this act authorizes 
adjustment of status for certain nationals or citizens of Haiti as well 
as amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1) 
waive document fraud as a ground of inadmissibility; and (2) address 
determinations with respect to children. In the wake of last week's 
earthquake, I am happy to see that the Obama Administration decided to 
extend temporary protection status to Haitians facing deportation.
  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.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Chair 
of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Lowey).
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 1021, with appreciation for the leadership of Barbara Lee, a 
member of my committee; Donald Payne; and sincere condolences for the 
victims of last Tuesday's tragic earthquake and continuing aftershocks. 
Yet another

[[Page H238]]

natural disaster has devastated this country and its people. My deep 
sympathy and prayers are with the people of Haiti and all those who 
have lost loved ones.
  As the resolution notes, the U.S. Government and the American people 
stand in solidarity with the Haitian people and are committed to 
helping them in this great time of need. The intense challenges of 
delivering humanitarian relief are compounded in Haiti by weak 
infrastructure and government institutions that cannot provide the 
necessary support for relief.
  I commend the swift response by the Obama administration, especially 
USAID, the State Department, HHS, the Department of Defense, as well as 
the international community, to quickly mobilize humanitarian and 
disaster relief in a complex humanitarian disaster.
  I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of many, many other 
countries; and I want to particularly commend Israel for its immediate 
response with search and rescue teams, fully equipped hospitals and 
doctors, Doctors Without Borders, and thousands of NGOs.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 
seconds.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Lastly, in addition to the thousands of NGOs, I want to 
commend a group started by Danielle Butin in my district that has been 
collecting medical supplies and shipping containers daily with the help 
of many, many volunteers. This is a job for all of us, and I am very, 
very pleased that there are so many governments and individuals who are 
working to relieve this terrible, terrible effect of the disaster.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, before I recognize my next 
speaker, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), 
for the purpose of making a unanimous consent request.
  (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 1021, expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of 
Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 
2010.
  Madam Speaker, Americans are deeply saddened by the tremendous damage 
and loss of life caused by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 
12th.
  The earthquake was truly a devastating natural disaster. There are 
enormous needs in Haiti. Authorities say that the earthquake may have 
killed 200,000 people. Three million people in Haiti need food, water, 
shelter, and medical assistance, according to an estimate given by the 
United Nations.
  Tens of thousands of people sleep in the streets or under plastic 
sheets in makeshift camps. The spread of disease has become a major 
concern in Haiti. Tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by 
the earthquake.
  I join with my colleagues in expressing the sympathies of the 
Congress, recognizing the long-term need for American assistance, and 
urging the President to adopt multiple approaches to assisting those 
affected by this tragedy now and in the future.
  It is important to have the federal government participate in the 
broad, international relief effort. Action by the federal government 
demonstrates leadership from the highest level of government in helping 
meet the deep need for humanitarian aid.
  Booker T. Washington captured well the importance of assisting people 
in need when he said, ``The highest test of the civilization of any 
race is in its willingness to extend a helping hand to the less 
fortunate.''
  I am very proud that the American response to the Haitian tragedy is 
not limited to our government. Individuals, businesses, and 
philanthropic organizations have joined with our global colleague to 
respond to this tragedy.
  During this time of extreme difficulty in Haiti, charities have 
raised more than $210 million in donations for Haiti earthquake relief. 
A campaign using text messages brought in over $21 million for the Red 
Cross for relief efforts.
  In Chicago, I know that many churches, especially the Church of God 
in Christ, are rising to meet the tremendous needs of the people 
affected by the Haitian tragedy. The international community has come 
together to assist Haiti by sending emergency funds, search and rescue 
teams, food and water, and medical teams.
  I want to emphasize that this resolution recognizes that Haiti's 
needs will be great, both in the short-term and the long-term. I 
believe that Americans and our government will rise to help meet these 
immediate and future challenges.
  The people of Haiti and the United States have a long and complex 
relationship dating back to pre-slavery days. Our cultures, and our 
respective economic histories and destinies, are deeply intertwined. It 
is natural and just for our nation to take the lead in extending a hand 
of immediate relief to the people of Haiti in the aftermath of this 
horrific disaster and ultimately a hand in rebuilding their shattered 
nation so that the Haitian people can join with the developed nations 
of the world in a 21st century standard of living and security.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a member of 
the Committee on Natural Resources, who is the second vice Chair of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen).

                              {time}  1545

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, in this time of sadness and tragedy 
for the people of Haiti and all of us who are their friends, I rise in 
support of Resolution 1021, expressing our condolences and solidarity 
with the people of Haiti and their families throughout the diaspora, 
and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands join me on these sentiments.
  On Martin Luther King Day, I joined some of our clergy in leading a 
prayer vigil for the people of Haiti, and I am proud to report on the 
funding that has been sent in, to report that the Haiti community 
support and teams of doctors and nurses from my district began a 
rotation of medical supplies immediately following the quake.
  On Monday, a ship normally stationed at HOVENSA, the oil refinery on 
St. Croix, was commissioned to Port-au-Prince, and left, carrying 
supplies from several organizations including Rotary, Hispanos Unidos, 
and a group led by Haitian American Virgin Islander Andre McBean. We 
thank them and the Haitian American organization in St. Thomas led by 
Oskar Lalanne, Hans Oriol, and Gerard Bateau, who have also sent 
supplies and provided aid on the ground, including the assembling of 
creole speaking interpreters who are so needed during this disaster.
  Today, with this resolution we signal the commitment of this Congress 
and the people of the United States to standing with Haiti----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 
seconds.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Not just now, during the immediate response, but 
for what will be a long and difficult recovery.
  I thank our chairwoman, Barbara Lee, for introducing the resolution 
and all of the Congressional Black Caucus and others for their 
leadership in support of Haiti, both before and since January 12.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes of 
my time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE of California. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from 
Florida for yielding and also for her strong support and her assistance 
with this resolution.
  Let me now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New York, a 
member of the Committee on Small Business, who also serves as an 
officer of the whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, hails from the 
Caribbean, a leader on so many issues, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
  Ms. CLARKE. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Chair of the 
Congressional Black Caucus and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for bringing us together, 
along with the ranking member, for this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my heartfelt condolences and 
in support of the Haitian people, the Haitian American community in the 
United States and the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, and ask my 
colleagues to support Resolution 1021.
  As the representative of the second largest Haitian American 
population in the United States, this crisis has truly and literally 
hit home. My office has been inundated and overwhelmed with

[[Page H239]]

constituents calling, earnestly trying to find their loved ones. Many 
of them are hoping family members are still alive and safe, despite the 
many images of destruction they see in the media.
  The situation on the ground remains unstable. Lives still hang in the 
balance, and a speedy and coordinated action is needed to maximize the 
recovery effort and to mitigate the loss of life.
  With this resolution, we are sending a unified message to the Haitian 
people that we stand with them as they mourn the loss of their loved 
ones and prepare to rebuild their nation. This resolution lets the 
whole world know that Haiti is as much a part of us as we are a part of 
them.
  Over the last week, the American people have been pouring out their 
hearts to the nation. I would like to commend our people, the U.S. 
military, Coast Guard, search and rescue teams, humanitarian NGOs, for 
all of their work. I would like to recognize the swift response from 
the Obama administration in providing immediate investment and thank 
them.
  Ms. LEE of California. I now yield 2 minutes to the Chair of the 
Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, a 
leader on so many issues who has been involved with Haiti since I have 
known her, and that has been since the 1970s, who has led the charge 
for debt relief, Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
  Ms. WATERS. I would like to thank my good friend, the chairperson of 
the Congressional Black Caucus and a friend of Haiti's who has been 
working on behalf of Haiti for many years, Barbara Lee.
  I rise to support this resolution, which expresses the condolences of 
the House of Representatives with the people of Haiti following last 
week's devastating earthquake. I especially appreciate the fact that 
this resolution urges multilateral financial institutions to 
immediately suspend further debt payment from Haiti and to develop 
processes to cancel all of Haiti's remaining debt.
  Haiti cannot begin to recover from the earthquake while continuing to 
make payments on debts owed to multilateral financial institutions like 
the IMF, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Even 
before the earthquake occurred, debt payments were a tremendous burden 
that interfered with the ability of Haiti's Government to meet the 
needs of its people.
  Haiti worked very hard over the past several years to qualify for 
debt relief. In order to qualify, the Government of Haiti successfully 
developed and implemented a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy 
Paper under the direction of the IMF and the World Bank. As a result, 
multilateral financial institutions provided Haiti $1.2 billion in debt 
relief last June. Nevertheless, Haiti still owes a total of $664 
million in debt to multilateral financial institutions.
  The IMF offered Haiti a new $100 million loan for earthquake recovery 
efforts. Unfortunately, new loans that will add to Haiti's debt burden 
are not what Haiti needs at this critical time. I was encouraged to 
learn that IMF managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, expressed 
support for canceling all of Haiti's debt, including the new loan, and 
I look forward to working with him to do so.
  On behalf of the Black Caucus, I am introducing legislation to 
require the United States Secretary of the Treasury to use the voice, 
vote, and influence of the United States within the multilateral 
financial institutions to cancel all of Haiti's remaining debt, and I 
hope all of my colleagues will support it. Canceling Haiti's debts will 
free up the country's meager resources, allowing it to begin meeting 
its immediate and long-term needs.
  Again, I would like to thank my good friend and leader, Barbara Lee, 
for introducing this legislation.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to 
the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, a member of our House Foreign 
Affairs Committee.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida 
for yielding.
  When this situation occurred in Haiti, when the earthquake came 
through and devastated the land, the buildings, and the lives of the 
people, there were over 30,000 Americans in Haiti at the time. Many of 
these Americans were there as volunteers to help this struggling 
nation. They were from churches throughout the United States. They were 
young people, civic organizations already there helping this struggling 
nation.
  One group particularly, from my hometown of Houston, a group of 
Rotarians, had just gotten there to work in two places. They were going 
to work in the hospitals, to make the hospitals better and more 
convenient and more efficient, and they were also there to dig water 
wells for the Haitian people. And all of these people that were there 
from America, most of them, were volunteers.
  It has been said that government can never replace a volunteer, and 
that is true. Americans are the most giving people on Earth, and they 
were helping Haiti. And I suspect Americans will go and help Haiti 
again, to volunteer, all of these civic religious organizations. And 
that is a good thing, because that is what we do in America. We help 
other people. We help our own people, and we help foreign nations and 
their people as well, because America in the time of crisis responds.
  So I commend the Americans that are working, along with the NGOs and 
the officials of our government and other governments, in this 
struggling time to help the people of Haiti get their lives back 
together so that they can once again be a productive nation in the 
community of countries.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my colleague and 
friend from California (Mr. Schiff), a member of the Appropriations 
Committee.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I join my colleague from California (Ms. 
Lee) in expressing my profound sorrow at the tragedy that has been 
visited upon the people of Haiti.
  Even now, a week after the earthquake that shattered Port-au-Prince 
and much of the surrounding area, rescuers are still pulling survivors 
from the rubble, including a 15-day-old baby girl who was pulled from 
her home, destroyed, yesterday, after 7 days without food and water. 
Happily, the baby has been reunited with her mother, who told the Wall 
Street Journal that her daughter's survival was ``the mercy of God.'' 
Hours later, 69-year-old Anna Zizi was dragged singing from the rubble 
of the Roman Catholic cathedral of Port-au-Prince, while Hotteline 
Lozama, age 25, was pulled from the ruins of a shopping center.
  But, despite these miracles, the horror is overwhelming. Current 
estimates place the death toll at 200,000, and more than 1.5 million 
Haitians have been made homeless as a result of the earthquake. Major 
aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.1 tremor this morning, have 
hampered rescue efforts and kept survivors in a state of near panic.
  The extent of the damage and totality of the need have overwhelmed 
the massive international aid effort that is racing to get food and 
water to more than 3 million people. Even as U.N. reinforcements and 
additional U.S. military and civilian assets scramble to the stricken 
island, an estimated 20,000 people a day are dying, most from lack of 
adequate medical care.
  There is an unfortunate familiarity to the images that have been 
broadcast around the world in the aftermath of this tragedy: the 
pleading eyes, the fear, and the sorrow mixed with stoicism. We have 
seen them before in New Orleans after Katrina, in Southeast Asia after 
the tsunami, in Pakistan after the earthquake there, and the aftermath 
of countless other disasters.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield the gentleman 20 additional seconds.
  Mr. SCHIFF. But even though the scenes are familiar and unsettling, 
we cannot turn away and we must not shirk our obligation to aid our 
neighbor in her hour of need. I urge the President to continue to press 
for faster deployment of aid and reconstruction personnel.
  I thank my colleague for her leadership and her support of the 
resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from 
California (Ms. Lee) for the bipartisan approach to this terrible, 
terrible situation.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.

[[Page H240]]

  Ms. LEE of California. Before I close, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my 
friend from New Jersey, Chair of the African Global Health 
Subcommittee, Chairman Payne.
  Mr. PAYNE. Let me, once again, express our deep appreciation for the 
outcry of Members of this legislative body on both sides of the aisle.
  We have heard of the great work done by many of the countries 
mentioned. We have heard about the heroism and the heroic efforts of 
many of the people. We have seen isolated shots of some violence and 
disorder, but let me say that this is just a very small sliver of what 
is happening in Haiti. Most of the people are waiting patiently. Most 
of the people are orderly.
  It is amazing, the resilience of the Haitian people from these 
overwhelming obstacles, that 99 percent of the people are just trying 
to make it through. So we need to engage with the government. We need 
to assist them as they start to recover politically and governmentally.
  In addition to restoring the city, we need to take a look at perhaps 
a new city outside of Port-au-Prince, a city built for 50,000 people 
that has 2 million people. Can you imagine that? So this may be a way 
that we can have a planned approach. We have great colleges. Columbia 
University has the Earth Institute, and we would hope to try to 
encourage those groups to come in.
  With that, let me commend our chairperson once again.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me thank all of the Members 
today for coming down to the floor in support of this resolution but, 
more importantly, in support of the people of Haiti.
  I end by calling on all my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
measure to express our deepest condolences, our steadfast solidarity, 
and our sustained commitment to the people of Haiti in the wake of this 
ongoing tragedy.

                              {time}  1600

  As we move forward, let us not waiver in saying to the people of 
Haiti: Your resilience, your dignity, your courage, even during your 
darkest hour, continues to inspire us. And during your darkest hour, 
the United States, and the American people, will not abandon you as you 
continue to struggle for a brighter tomorrow.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the struggles of 
the Haitian people in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake that 
hit the island nation on January 12, 2010. The images of the aftermath 
of the earthquake are startling and sobering reminders of the power of 
nature and of our obligation as human beings to assist those who are 
less fortunate.
  In the short term, Haiti's emergency needs are overwhelming. Even 
with the death and casualty toll estimates still coming in, we know 
that there is an urgent need for food, medicines, water, emergency 
shelter, and equipment. The immediate response from our citizens has 
been gratifying. Within 24 hours following the quake, we saw Americans 
from a cross section of society--from elected officials in Washington 
to everyday residents all over New York City--reach out and offer 
assistance.
  The Obama Administration, for its part, has pledged its full support 
for rescue and humanitarian assistance. I applaud President Obama's 
decision to pledge $100 million in relief aid. It is clear that there 
will be an even greater need for a long-term commitment to rebuild the 
nation's infrastructure, and to provide educational, security, and 
economic assistance. As the leader in our hemisphere and Haiti's most 
important political partner, the United States should lead the way in 
supporting these efforts.
  There will come a time when the people of Haiti are no longer 
headlines in the media; and yet they will still be in desperate need of 
help from the international community. It is at this time that we must 
pull together and unite to help the citizens of Haiti rebuild their 
country. Similar to a national public works program, the building and 
repairing of roads and bridges, schools, hospitals and health care 
clinics, and the undertaking of massive reforestation should create 
much needed jobs for Haitians.
  I would also like to thank President Obama and Secretary Napolitano 
for granting the thousands of Haitian nationals in America with 
Temporary Protective Status. This humanitarian gesture will allow our 
Haitian brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends, many of whom have 
been among us for several years, to remain here, work hard, and 
contribute to the efforts of rebuilding their homeland while in 
America.
  Haiti has been a long-time friend and ally of the United States, and 
now it is our turn to exercise our friendship in their time of need.
  Madam Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues in joining me to 
dedicate our efforts, and commit ourselves to supporting, the long-
suffering Haitian people, now and into the future.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and 
extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Haiti, and to their 
worried and grieving loved ones around the world, after the tragic 
earthquake that devastated so much of the nation last Tuesday. It is 
heartbreaking that a country that has suffered through so much in its 
history now must endure this unimaginable disaster. My thoughts and 
prayers also go out to the injured and missing Americans, Haitian-
Americans with families impacted by this tragedy, and families and 
colleagues of the United Nations personnel who lost their lives.
  I would also like to applaud President Obama's quick action in 
sending civilian and military personnel and humanitarian resources to 
help in rescue and recovery, and am ready to work with my colleagues in 
Congress to support the Administration's efforts. I call on all 
Americans to continue to show their support for the people of Haiti, 
whether by contributing to the Red Cross or other charitable 
organizations operating in Haiti, or offering products or services that 
may be needed.
  In times of terrible suffering, the world community comes together to 
help those in need, and that is what we have seen in the aftermath of 
the Haiti earthquake. Now, we must ensure that our attention and our 
efforts do not waver. I thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership in 
bringing this resolution to the Floor and urge all my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Res. 1021, a resolution expressing condolences to and solidarity 
with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake 
there.
  My sincerest condolences and prayers are with the citizens of Haiti, 
their friends and families on Long Island and throughout the United 
States as well as the many American citizens who live and work in 
Haiti.
  In times of tragedy, it is essential that we come to the aid of our 
neighbors. have been proud of the response by U.S. Federal, State, and 
local agencies that have been centrally involved with providing 
emergency response to Haiti. Local law enforcement and first responders 
throughout Long Island and New York have pledged to lend their 
expertise to the relief efforts. After the initial emergency has 
passed, it is important that we stay committed to helping Haiti onto 
the path towards a full recovery.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is difficult to comprehend 
the depth of tragedy and sorrow that has visited the poor island of 
Haiti. It is difficult to convey the depth of our sympathy and shock at 
the catastrophe that has befallen the Haitian people.
  Madam Speaker, the extent of the misery, destruction and death is 
nearly beyond imagination. It surely puts our own national trials and 
tribulations into perspective.
  I am encouraged by the expression of solidarity that has sprung up 
across the United States. I hope that expression manifests not merely 
in words but in real action, real contributions, financial and 
otherwise, to aid our suffering Haitian brothers and sisters.
  I encourage the Obama Administration to continue working closely with 
the United Nations and the international community to ensure that the 
provision of critical assistance to the most vulnerable, the grievously 
injured and homeless, is the top priority of aid efforts.
  I encourage the American people to look with understanding and not 
with scorn upon the chaos that inevitably accompanies such disasters, 
wherever they occur.
  And I pledge, on behalf of my constituents, the full power and 
influence of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District to the effort to 
relieve Haitian suffering and save Haitian lives as the toll of this 
disaster continues to rise.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of passing both 
H. Res. 1021 and H.R. 4462. During this time of terrible tragedy in 
Haiti, it is imperative that we stand with the Haitian people as they 
work to rescue, recover and eventually rebuild.
  Haiti is the poorest, and perhaps most struggling of our neighbors in 
the Western Hemisphere. Although there has been much progress with the 
development of a democratic parliamentary system, there is still a long 
way to go and this natural disaster is undoubtedly a terrible setback 
to Haiti's development. Sadly, many casualties of this tragedy have 
been humanitarian workers and peacekeepers whose work was far from 
completed. With that in mind, it is imperative that we keep their 
mission alive by supporting greater resources for further aid workers 
and peacekeeping forces.

[[Page H241]]

  Since the day the earthquake occurred, I have been touched by the 
outpouring of support from Americans and am pleased that Congress is 
able to act so swiftly to pass legislation that speeds up the tax 
deduction for charitable contributions for Haiti. It is yet another way 
for us to help those who want to help the people of Haiti through this 
time of tragedy.
  I urge my colleagues to pass both H. Res. 1021 and H.R. 4462 and to 
keep the people of Haiti in our thoughts and prayers.
  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues to 
express my profound condolences to the people of Haiti in the aftermath 
of the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the nation on 
January 12, 2010.
  I led a congressional delegation to Haiti in May 2009 to support that 
country's efforts to promote democracy, stability and prosperity. 
During that visit, I saw the many challenges Haitians face and how they 
meet those challenges with courage and determination.
  Our delegation met with Haitian President Rene Preval at the National 
Palace and we also met with members of the Haitian Parliament at the 
Senate building. To now see photos of both of those buildings in ruins 
and to hear stories of members of the Senate being pulled out of the 
rubble has strengthened my resolve to continue to support Haiti and its 
people. The tragic images and on-the-ground news reports cannot but 
move us to action.
  We also visited two Partners in Health, PIH, facilities. PIH brings 
modern medical care to poor communities around the world and has been 
working in Haiti for over 20 years. Thankfully, PIH facilities in the 
central plateau region of Haiti, while experiencing the strong shock of 
the earthquake, had no major building damage or staff or patient 
injuries. PIH was able to mobilize their resources and bring medical 
assistance and supplies to other areas of the island that have been 
hardest hit. None of this has been easy to do in a country where the 
infrastructure, subpar to begin with, was virtually destroyed. I thank 
PIH as well as all the other organizations and individuals for the 
difficult work they are doing in Haiti in the wake of this devastation.
  President Barack Obama acted very quickly and decisively to send 
vital assistance to Haiti. The Administration's coordination of this 
international relief effort has been one of the largest in recent 
history.
  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that our efforts to 
rebuild Haiti will be a long term investment and I stand by her 
commitment. Our country has a special responsibility to help our 
neighbor move beyond the poverty, despair, and dysfunction that have 
plagued Haiti for far too long.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of continued investment in 
the people of Haiti.
  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues in 
the Congressional Black Caucus in support of the people of Haiti.
  Last weekend, in my district, I held a citywide interfaith prayer 
service where we sought God's grace and mercy for the lives of those 
who were lost in last week's earthquake as well as for the survivors, 
the rescue workers and those who, miraculously, continue to be pulled 
alive from the rubble.
  I strongly support the swift action, last week, by the Obama 
Administration to grant temporary protected status for Haitian 
immigrants already living in this country. I urge the Administration to 
continue to bring the full weight and resources of the federal 
government in support of a nation whose history intersects with that of 
the founding of the United States.
  Haiti is a nation to whom our nation owes an enormous debt of 
gratitude. It was the brave people of Haiti who tirelessly fought 
French aggressors, in the early 1800s, thereby preventing that nation 
from advancing to the shores of America in the early years after the 
founding of our republic.
  My commitment to Haiti is to do all I can do, in our nation's capitol 
and at home in Chicago, to help restore, rebuild and strengthen Haiti. 
My hope and prayer is that it will emerge stronger than it was before 
last week's tragic turn of events.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I want to join with the American people 
in paying tribute to the Haitian people. Who have suffered so much. But 
who have proven so strong. While the world does all it can to help, it 
is the Haitian people, first and foremost, who are saving themselves.
  I also want to honor those who have rushed to Haiti's aid from across 
the globe: the diplomats and aid workers, the humanitarians, the 
volunteers, and the members of the military--particularly the United 
States Coast Guard.
  Last but certainly not least, I want to pay tribute to the men and 
women of the United Nations peacekeeping mission known as MINUSTAH. 
They came to a foreign land. To help give a foreign people a better 
life. Now many of them are dead. Or injured. Or missing.
  We must ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain. We must work 
with the Haitian people and the world to help Haiti recover. Because 
doing so is not just in line with our interests. It is in keeping with 
our most basic and cherished values of compassion and common decency.
  Ms. LEE of California. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1021.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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