[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 21 (Thursday, February 11, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S557-S558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam President, bad things can bring out the best in 
people, and I rise today to speak about our response to the earthquake 
that devastated Haiti last month and, in particular, about the 
compassionate efforts that Rhode Islanders have made to help those who 
suffered through this tragedy.
  The 7.0 scale magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 
2010, is the first great natural disaster of the new decade. Even 
before the quake struck, the small island nation of Haiti faced 
significant challenges as the poorest country in the Western 
Hemisphere.
  Haiti has been wracked by years of political strife and the constant 
threat of hurricanes and tropical storms. This most recent catastrophe 
has led to, for us, almost unimaginable suffering on the part of the 
people of Haiti. On February 3, Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max 
Bellerive announced that over 200,000 people had been confirmed dead. 
The U.N. has estimated that over 3 million people have been directly 
affected by the disaster. In the capital of Port-au-Prince alone, over 
700,000 people have been displaced, with over 480,000 departing the 
city altogether.
  Even before the quake, many Rhode Islanders were helping down in 
Haiti. One constituent, Natalhie Gooding, a CPA from Warwick, was down 
there volunteering her time at an orphanage for young Haitian girls in 
Port-au-Prince. She was there when the quake hit. Days went by before 
her husband Michael and her children were able to communicate with her. 
As people with families around us--I know the distinguished Presiding 
Officer and I certainly can share the intense concern that family must 
have gone through hearing the news coming out of Haiti for hours and 
for days and knowing that their wife and their mom was down in the 
middle of that and not hearing from her. As my colleagues can imagine, 
it was a traumatic experience. Fortunately, as it turned out, Natalhie 
was safe and she is now back in Rhode Island with her family. But as I 
acknowledge our relief efforts after the quake, I also wish to 
acknowledge and commend all of the volunteers from Rhode Island and 
elsewhere who were so generously helping in Haiti even before the 
earthquake struck.
  The response of the United States to this tragedy has been 
remarkable. In the weeks since the earthquake, the United States has 
provided over $439 million in emergency humanitarian assistance. The 
Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the 
Department of Defense, and other government entities have all 
contributed to this effort. Water distribution, sanitation, and hygiene 
programs, food assistance, logistical support, provisions for shelter, 
and essential medical services have all been top priorities. The United 
States military has sent aircraft and ships to Haiti, including the 
USNS Comfort hospital ship and the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. 
These vessels are providing medical treatment facilities and 
humanitarian assistance. In addition, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary 
Unit and the

[[Page S558]]

Army's 82nd Airborne Division have contributed 5,500 troops to 
distribute humanitarian aid and provide search, rescue, and security 
support.
  We have also seen extraordinary generosity from the American people, 
from the millions of dollars individuals and businesses have donated to 
help the victims of the quake to the volunteers who have selflessly 
traveled to Haiti to lend their valued expertise. Americans, with our 
spirit of generosity, have tried to help in any way they possibly can.
  The outpouring of support in my State of Rhode Island for those 
affected by this catastrophe has been overwhelming. Many Rhode 
Islanders have generously donated to organizations to give whatever 
they can to the relief of this devastated country. At the Blessed 
Sacrament School in Providence, a school some of whose students have 
family members and loved ones in Haiti, the 270-plus students of this 
small school, pre-K to 8th grade, raised over $1,680 for the Red Cross 
in a single day. Students and parents at the Frenchtown Elementary 
School in East Greenwich raised close to $1,700 for the Save the 
Children relief organization to help those in Haiti. At the St. Mary 
Academy Bay View in Riverside, fifth graders have produced handmade 
yarn dolls which they are selling to raise money for the victims of the 
earthquake.
  This month, students of the University of Rhode Island launched a 
``URI Helping Haiti Campaign'' with the goal of raising $100,000 for 
Plan USA, a Rhode Island-headquartered relief organization that 
provides direct humanitarian assistance to 1.5 million children in 49 
countries across the globe, including, of course, Haiti.
  Ten members of the Rhode Island National Guard's 143rd Airlift Wing 
flew to Haiti in January to assist in the relief efforts. The 143rd's 
latest humanitarian mission before this was in New Orleans assisting in 
the aftermath of one of our own country's greatest natural disasters, 
Hurricane Katrina. This time they flew to Haiti to provide medical 
transportation and evacuation assistance.
  In January, even the Rhode Island Democratic and Republican parties 
put politics aside and came together to host a joint fundraiser to 
benefit the humanitarian relief efforts led by the Clinton-Bush Haiti 
Fund.
  Rhode Island doctors such as Christopher Born, Sachita Shah, Stephen 
Sullivan, and Helena Taylor, of Rhode Island Hospital, traveled to 
Haiti in the days after the earthquake to provide critical medical 
services to those injured. These doctors lacked the medical equipment 
there that we here take for granted and they were also forced to use 
rudimentary medical procedures to treat the numerous patients who had 
lined up for assistance. But they did it, and they made a difference.
  These stories represent only a small fraction of the generosity that 
Rhode Islanders and the American people have exhibited in the weeks 
following the earthquake. It is truly inspiring how Americans have 
joined together to help the people of Haiti in this time of need. I 
know that the world is watching this example of America's generosity, 
good will, and professionalism. I am proud of the many contributions 
that came from my small State.
  The thoughts and prayers of Rhode Islanders and indeed all Americans 
will continue to be with those who have suffered and are still 
suffering in this catastrophe as the recovery and rebuilding begins to 
take shape. I know the generosity and the good work will continue.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Whitehouse). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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