[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E143-E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ASSISTANCE TO HAITI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the compassionate 
work of the tens of thousands members of the U.S. armed forces, federal 
agencies, NGOs, international organizations, and volunteers on the 
ground providing direct assistance to the people of Haiti. Our brothers 
and sisters from the island nation of Haiti are facing an unimaginable 
human catastrophe as the country works to recover from the magnitude-7 
earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010, the largest recorded in 
Haiti in over a century. By providing critical services ranging from 
emergency medical care and food distribution to helping maintain 
security, these men and women represent the best of the humanitarian 
character and make us all proud.
  It is prudent, then, that we match their bravery and selflessness in 
the epicenter of the disaster with a compassionate, multi-pronged 
response. President Obama quickly brought the focus of the relevant 
federal agencies onto Haiti, and Congress has acted swiftly to 
encourage the American people to contribute to the effort by passing 
H.R. 4462, which would allow taxpayers to deduct charitable cash 
donations for the relief of victims of this tragic event on their 2009 
income tax returns.
  Further, I recognize that the Government of Haiti cannot afford to 
invest in humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and development efforts, 
while continuing to make payments on debts owed to multilateral 
financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the 
World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Even before the 
earthquake, debt service payments to these institutions were a 
tremendous burden that interfered with the ability of the Government of 
Haiti to meet the needs of its people. For this reason, I have long 
been a supporter of efforts to cancel Haiti's debts owed to these 
multilateral financial institutions, and I have reiterated my call for 
debt cancellation in the wake of the earthquake. In addition, many of 
my colleagues and I have joined the effort to extend temporary 
protected status to Haitian nationals who are currently in the U.S. so 
that they can assist their fellow countrymen and women through 
remittances and other support.
  The effect of the earthquake on Haiti is reflected not only in the 
thousands of buildings destroyed, but more accurately in the cost of 
human lives and families devastated. According to United Nations 
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, ``[o]f Haiti's 9 million people, initial 
reports suggest roughly a third may be affected by the disaster.'' The 
international humanitarian and security response has already provided 
much needed shelter, food, and medical support. As these initial 
efforts unfold, the need expands into maintaining security, 
reestablishing the democratically elected government, and providing 
sustainable services to the people of Haiti. To help fulfill this need, 
I am a proud cosponsor of the Next Steps for Haiti Act (H.R. 417). 
Introduced by my dear friend Congresswoman Barbara Lee, H.R. 417 would 
support the capacity building efforts by the Haitian government and 
civil society, supporting President Obama's commitment to support the 
people of Haiti in their efforts to not only recover from this human 
catastrophe but also to hold on to and work hard toward their vision of 
a strong economy and democracy.
  Once again, Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing my 
condolences to the victims' families, both here at home and on the 
island, and encourage all Americans to help in Haiti's rescue, recovery 
and empowerment.

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