[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RELIEF EFFORTS OF DILLARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE 
                            PEOPLE OF HAITI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 26, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
students and staff of Dillard Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale, 
Florida, for their dedication to helping the people of Haiti in the 
wake of the 7.0 earthquake of January 12, 2010. Not enough sorrow can 
be expressed for the people of Haiti and all those affected by this 
tragic event.
  Every day, more information filters in from Port-au-Prince and 
surrounding areas that begins to shed light on the extent of the 
catastrophe in Haiti. This earthquake was a horror of epic proportions. 
It is estimated that over 200,000 Haitians, including hundreds of 
people from countries around the world, have died. In the aftermath of 
disaster, there have been numerous aftershocks reaching magnitudes of 
up to 6.1, and more unrest is expected. For years, Haitians have lived 
in misery beyond human understanding. Long after the final aftershock, 
the thousands of Haitians left homeless, injured, and starving will 
have to rebuild their country from the ground up. It is our moral duty 
as members of our global community to provide aid to Haiti in its time 
of great need.
  This cry for help has been answered by the students and staff of 
Dillard Elementary School. They are committed to raising $5,000 for the 
people of Haiti through community fundraisers and have already begun a 
coin drive with great enthusiasm. This is our nation at its finest 
hour. Seeing communities all across the nation rally around this noble 
cause is a reminder of the human compassion and dignity that we all 
share.
  My office is proud to support Dillard Elementary School in its 
efforts, as are many of my constituents and businesses in Florida's 
23rd district, including Paradise Bank, The Westside Gazette, and Palm 
Harbor Prep.
  Madam Speaker, the students and staff of Dillard Elementary School 
are role models for us all. I hope that we will follow their example 
and dig deep to help the people of Haiti in one of its darkest hours.

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