[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H667-H671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE BRAVERY AND EFFORTS OF THE MEMBERS OF OPERATION UNIFIED 
                                RESPONSE

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1066) recognizing the bravery and efforts of 
the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other 
members of Operation Unified Response for their swift and coordinated 
action in light of the devastation wrought upon the nation of Haiti 
after a horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince and 
surrounding cities on January 12, 2010.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1066

       Whereas the recent crisis in Haiti was caused by a 
     magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the worst the nation has 
     experienced in over two centuries;
       Whereas the disaster wrought by this earthquake has been 
     catastrophic, destroying ports, infrastructure, hospitals, 
     schools, homes, and businesses, making many roads impassable 
     and incapacitating air travel, and severely hampering the 
     efforts of disaster relief organizations;
       Whereas one week after the earthquake hit, electricity was 
     still down, running water was not available, and food 
     supplies were quickly dwindling;
       Whereas the cities of Port-Au-Prince, Jacmel, Gonaives, 
     Petionville, and surrounding areas have been devastated, 
     affecting an estimated 3,000,000 Haitians;
       Whereas the United States Coast Guard was the first to 
     represent the United States in Haiti after the catastrophic 
     earthquake and was an integral part of the initial relief 
     efforts;
       Whereas the ability of the Coast Guard to act quickly and 
     efficiently set the foundation for the quickly escalating 
     international response;
       Whereas within the first 10 days, 24 United States Navy and 
     Coast Guard vessels, thousands of international United States 
     Army Reserve rescue workers, over 14,000 members of the 
     United States Armed Forces, 71 United States helicopters, and 
     26 Department of Health and Human Services personnel arrived 
     or were en route to provide logistical support, secure aid 
     distribution, and set up temporary housing;
       Whereas after just one week, Joint Task Force Haiti (JTF-
     Haiti) had established multiple forward operating bases 
     throughout Haiti and immediately started passing out 
     thousands of meals and bottled water;
       Whereas in just one day, JTF-Haiti was able to deliver 
     396,808 water bottles, 238,585 meals, and 4,900 lbs. of 
     medical supplies to Haitian survivors;
       Whereas the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and 
     the United States

[[Page H668]]

     Coast Guard have managed the safe arrival and departure of 
     military and humanitarian flights at Port-Au-Prince Airport;
       Whereas within the first 10 days, more than 11,000 United 
     States citizens were evacuated;
       Whereas the USNS Comfort hospital ship arrived in less than 
     a week providing 600 medical personnel and the ability to 
     treat more than a 1,000 patients;
       Whereas the USNS Comfort has already treated 1,427 patients 
     from 10 different hospital sites;
       Whereas within the first two weeks, Department of Defense 
     personnel distributed 1,820,463 bottles of water, 1,465,569 
     meals, and 57,083 lbs. of medical equipment;
       Whereas these operations delivered life sustaining food, 
     water, and medical supply packages to Haiti's displaced;
       Whereas during coordinated relief efforts by the United 
     States Agency for International Development (USAID), members 
     of the United States Armed Forces, including members of the 
     Army Reserves, the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     (FEMA), the Department of Defense, the Department of State, 
     and the United Nations, personnel and equipment to manage 8 
     hospitals were delivered to provide crucial emergency medical 
     services, and 6 field hospitals were set up, resulting in 
     thousands of lives saved;
       Whereas the first responders teams that readily responded 
     to the call for assistance for the Haitian people within the 
     first 24 hours after the disaster include the Miami-Dade 
     Search and Rescue Team of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Fairfax 
     County Search and Rescue Team of Fairfax County, Virginia, 
     U.S. Urban Search and Rescue Teams (US&R) of Los Angeles 
     County, New York City Firefighters, the BATAAN Amphibious 
     Readiness Group (ARG)/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and 
     the NASSAU ARG/MEU;
       Whereas the coordinated relief efforts of the United 
     States, international agencies, and the United Nations 
     Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in the first week 
     resulted in 122 courageous rescues of Haitians trapped 
     beneath rubble, including a 2-year-old girl who had been 
     trapped for 6 days;
       Whereas during the ongoing relief efforts, USAID, members 
     of the United States Armed Forces, including members of the 
     Army Reserves, FEMA, the Department of Defense, the 
     Department of State, and the United Nations coordinated teams 
     that delivered 1,910 short tons of humanitarian aid in the 
     first week; and
       Whereas additionally, 954 Department of Defense, private, 
     and commercial airlift sorties have been successfully 
     conducted: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the efforts of the United States Armed 
     Forces, local first responders, and other members of 
     Operation Unified Response for their swift, compassionate, 
     and courageous action to meet the needs of Haiti's citizens 
     and government and facilitate the evacuation, safety, and 
     medical attention for United States citizens impacted by the 
     earthquake in Haiti;
       (2) recognizes the remarkable response by the men and women 
     in the United States Armed Forces for their ability to deploy 
     such a sizeable force in such a short amount of time while 
     also engaged in two separate conflicts; and
       (3) recognizes the dedication and sacrifice put forward by 
     United States public servants to procure and deliver the 
     enormous amounts of food, water, medical and hygienic 
     supplies, and shelter and for their tireless effort to repair 
     and rebuild critical infrastructure for the benefit of all 
     Haitians.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Fleming) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1066, 
recognizing the bravery and efforts of the United States Armed Forces, 
local first responders, and all of those involved in Operation Unified 
Response. I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this important 
measure before the House.
  On January 12, a massive earthquake struck the nation of Haiti that 
was followed by a series of very powerful aftershocks that left 
catastrophic damage in and around the city of Port-au-Prince. The 
devastation resulted in an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 deaths, 
including over a hundred Americans reported dead and 3 million Haitians 
directly affected by the earthquake.
  Within 2 weeks, the United States had deployed 25 Navy and Coast 
Guard ships, 79 helicopters, 290 vehicles, and 21,493 Armed Forces 
personnel. Medical military assets had treated over 4,000 patients, of 
which 2,000 were treated aboard the hospital ship USS Comfort. The 
United States had distributed 1.9 million bottles of water, 1.7 million 
meals, and over 74,000 pounds of medical supplies.
  The United States acted immediately, setting up a whole-of-government 
response with the U.S. Agency for International Development in the lead 
and the Armed Forces playing a leading role. Within 24 hours, the U.S. 
had deployed Air Force special operations forces to secure the Port-au-
Prince airport and reestablish airport operations, deployed the 
aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, and started preparing both Army and 
Marine units for immediate deployment to that region.
  This critical contribution to the Haiti relief effort comes at a time 
when the men and women of our military are already being stretched by 
two wars. Our troops have once again demonstrated their capability to 
respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.
  U.S. military servicemembers and their families make tremendous 
sacrifices both for our Nation and in working to help people in times 
of need all over the world.
  On behalf of Congress, I want to thank our heroes in uniform and all 
of those involved in Operation Unified Response for the extraordinary 
contributions to the Haitian people. I urge my colleagues to support 
this important resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to first of all thank Mr. Skelton, chairman 
of the Armed Services Committee, and also Mr. McKeon, the ranking 
member, and other Members who have supported this resolution.
  I rise today in recognition of the men and women of the Armed Forces 
who have played such an important role in easing the suffering in Haiti 
after the January 12 earthquake that left thousands dead, thousands 
injured, and the country in ruins. Our military's swift, dedicated, and 
selfless action provided much-needed rescue, recovery, logistics and 
security capability in the immediate aftermath, and our service men and 
women who have done so much to put Haiti back on the road to recovery
  We Americans can understand the impacts of disasters, such as 
Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Andrew, the Northridge earthquake to name 
just a few. So our hearts go out to those in Haiti whose lives have 
been shattered by this earthquake.
  Even so, the extent of the devastation was shocking. In over 200 
years, Haiti has not felt as powerful an earthquake as was experienced 
that day in January. Over 3 million Haitians, a third of the country's 
entire population, were affected by the disaster. To put the scale of 
this earthquake's impact into perspective, imagine an event affecting 
more than 100 million Americans in an instant.
  For a country whose infrastructure and services were already 
insufficient, the effects of the 7.0 earthquake were exacerbated. 
Buildings throughout Port-au-Prince and the surrounding countryside 
collapsed like card houses--trapping, injuring, and killing many. The 
United Nation's peacekeeping force in Haiti to aid in stabilizing that 
struggling nation was unable to fully respond as it had lost its 
headquarters and a number of peacekeepers during the quake.
  The presidential palace, city hospital, and the World Bank building 
were all severely damaged. Roads, highways, power lines and basic 
services were all impacted, making immediate life-saving efforts all 
the more important and difficult. The images coming from Haiti revealed 
an apocalyptic scene.
  Our military's response was immediate, focusing on life saving and 
assessment, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief and evacuation 
operations. U.S. Southern Command was charged with coordinating and 
executing all military support and by chance found the Deputy 
Commander, Lieutenant General P.K. (Ken) Keen, already on the ground as 
he happened to be in Haiti on an official visit when the earthquake 
hit.

[[Page H669]]

                              {time}  1400

  In these initial moments of confusion, our Armed Forces displayed the 
focus, determination, and steadiness that we all expect from such a 
well-trained force.
  Under the direction of the U.S. Southern Command, the members of 
Operation Unified Response worked closely with the U.S. Embassy 
personnel, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United 
Nations, and the many nations and the U.S. States who had sent rescue 
teams and aid personnel to quickly and effectively assess the damage, 
begin immediate rescue operations, and open logistical lines so that 
aid and recovery efforts could begin. All those involved in Operation 
Unified Response deserve our utmost thanks and praise for their efforts 
to save lives and restore hope in Haiti.
  An estimated 230,000 lives were lost--76 American citizens are among 
the confirmed dead--and almost 200,000 injured in the earthquake. These 
already shocking numbers could have been all the worse had our response 
been any less. Instead, lives have been saved, the injured are 
receiving treatment, food and water are flowing, and recovery has 
started.
  Mr. Speaker, Operation Unified Response is a reminder that America 
stands ready to aid a neighbor and friend in need. Once again, our 
military men and women have been a shining example of the American 
spirit. Today, we recognize and honor their efforts in Haiti and wish 
them, and all those helping Haiti recover, Godspeed in their work. And 
for Haiti and its people, we remind them that we, America, are with 
them in this time of need.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
friend, my colleague, and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Meek).
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, the 
ranking member, and all of the Members that are cosponsors on House 
Resolution 1066.
  I can't tell you how important this resolution is going to be for our 
men and women in uniform, not only those in the armed services, Mr. 
Speaker, but those that are serving as urban rescue personnel 
throughout this great country of ours.
  I can tell you, being a Member of Congress that got to Port-au-Prince 
shortly after the event took place, seeing some of the loss of life 
that took place; seeing some of the people that were in desperation 
because they were without shelter and under blankets that they were 
using for tents; seeing a number of nongovernmental organizations 
trying to check their personnel, making sure that they are secure and 
rescue their personnel and help the Haitian people at the same time; 
but seeing our military stand up in a way, moving very fast, 
expeditiously to Haiti under the command of Southern Command, and also 
seeing a number including our Coast Guard that was one of the first on 
the scene; the urban rescue teams that came from not only L.A. County, 
but Fairfax County in Virginia, Miami-Dade County, New York City, and a 
number of other areas throughout this great country of ours responded 
to the needs of the Haitian people, and I can tell you that it was an 
outpouring of love and outstanding work on behalf of our men and women.
  Madam Speaker, I just want to say that I had a chance to go out with 
the urban rescue team from Miami-Dade County. There were some 40 
individuals. They came recently and presented me with this helmet with 
all of their signatures on it, just to tell them how much we appreciate 
the fact that we appreciate them for the work that they were able to 
do. But I have watched these men and women from the south Florida area 
work 20 hours saving lives, save not only a 2-year-old little girl and 
reunited her with her father, but there are a number of those kinds of 
stories that are scattered, and the work that our men and women in 
uniform have done as relates to saving lives throughout Haiti, but also 
as it relates to our first responders that are our urban rescue teams, 
one of the best units on the face of this Earth.
  I am glad Chairman Skelton and the ranking member took the time to 
allow us to bring this bill to the floor, 1066, to let those 
individuals know how much we appreciate them, those that are in the 
armed services, those that are our first responders, those in the 
recovery process in Haiti right now.
  Being from Florida, Madam Speaker, I can tell you that the 
international response to Haiti is key. It was kicked off by many of 
our men and women in uniform and those that are first responders. It is 
an international response now, and it is very important that we 
continue in that spirit.
  With that, I want to thank, Madam Speaker, the ranking member, and 
all of the Members that signed on to this bill to let these men and 
women know how much we truly appreciate their help and also their 
families' sacrifices for allowing them to serve our country and be 
goodwill ambassadors at a time when the poorest country in the Western 
Hemisphere needed us most.
  Mr. FLEMING. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise today as a proud original cosponsor of House Resolution 1066, 
recognizing the bravery and the efforts of the United States Armed 
Forces, the local first responders, and other members of Operation 
Unified Response.
  Six weeks ago today, Haiti was struck by the largest earthquake to 
reach its shores in over two centuries. And while many of us were 
trying to grasp the tremendous impact of this disaster, the United 
States Armed Forces were mobilized. They were engaged in what turned 
out to be one of, if not the most key operation in Haiti's recovery.
  Operation Unified Response was assembled almost immediately following 
the January 12 earthquake, and it was headed by the largest joint task 
force in the history of the U.S. Southern Command, SOUTHCOM.
  At the height of the emergency relief efforts, there were more than 
20,000 U.S. military personnel afloat and ashore working to facilitate 
search and rescue operations, delivering supplies, providing security 
in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
  In addition, the men and women of the U.S. military did a remarkable 
job in quickly standing up the airport in Port-au-Prince and in helping 
to repair and increase the capacity of many of the destroyed ports in 
that city. Before the earthquake, Port-au-Prince airport was averaging 
about 20 flights a day. In the days following the disaster, the airport 
was processing roughly 120 flights a day and really operating around 
the clock, 24 hours a day, thereby enabling countless shipments of 
vital supplies and resources to reach the citizens of Haiti during this 
most dire time of need.
  Under the leadership of General Douglas Fraser, SOUTHCOM commander, 
and General Ken Keen, commander of the Joint Task Force-Haiti, 
Operation Unified Response has delivered, to date, and these are 
amazing numbers, over 2.5 million bottles of water, 2.2 million food 
rations, 14.1 million pounds of bulk food, and 125,000 pounds of 
medical supplies to Haiti's earthquake survivors.
  In addition, our medical teams from the military have seen over 
28,000 patients. They have performed more than 800 surgeries.
  As the representative of Florida's 18th Congressional District, I 
take special pride in the instrumental role that SOUTHCOM has played in 
these vital relief efforts. I would like to again recognize the bravery 
of the efforts of all who were involved in Operation Unified Response. 
Thank you for your service.
  And I thank my good friend and fellow Floridian, Congressman Kendrick 
Meek, for introducing this important measure. I encourage all of our 
colleagues to support it.
  I thank the gentleman for the time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, before I yield to my friend, the 
gentlelady from California, let me acknowledge the cooperation of my 
friend and my colleague, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, 
Mr. Berman, for expediting consideration of this resolution. I extend 
these thanks to the committee's ranking member as well, the gentlelady 
from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).


[[Page H670]]


                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                 Washington, DC, February 4, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office 
         Bldg., Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning House 
     Resolution 1066, ``Recognizing the bravery and efforts of the 
     United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other 
     members of Operation Unified Response for their swift and 
     coordinated action in light of the devastation wrought upon 
     the nation of Haiti after a horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake 
     struck Port-Au-Prince and surrounding cities on January 12, 
     2010.'' As you know, this measure was referred to the 
     Committee on Armed Services and, in addition, to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be subsequently 
     determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
     such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
     committee concerned.
       This resolution contains provisions within the Rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the 
     interest of permitting your Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important 
     resolution, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to 
     mark up this resolution. I do so with the understanding that 
     by waiving consideration of the resolution, the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs does not waive any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the resolution 
     which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction.
       Please include a copy of this letter and your response in 
     the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure 
     on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Armed Services,

                                 Washington, DC, February 5, 2010.
     Hon. Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     House Resolution 1066, ``Recognizing the bravery and efforts 
     of the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, 
     and other members of Operation Unified Response for their 
     swift and coordinated action in light of the devastation 
     wrought upon the nation of Haiti after a horrific 7.0 
     magnitude earthquake struck Port-Au-Prince and surrounding 
     cities on January 12, 2010.'' This measure was referred to 
     the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently 
     determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
     such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
     committee concerned.
       I agree that the Committee on Foreign Affairs has certain 
     valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I 
     appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H. 
     Res. 1066 in the interest of expediting consideration of this 
     important measure. I agree that by agreeing to waive further 
     consideration, the Committee on Foreign Affairs is not 
     waiving its jurisdictional claims over similar measures in 
     the future.
       During consideration of this measure on the House floor, I 
     will ask that this exchange of letters be included in the 
     Congressional Record.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. SKELTON. I yield 3 minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from 
California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me first thank Chairman 
Skelton for his leadership, for bringing this resolution to the floor 
today, and for his support and his love for the men and women in 
uniform.
  I rise in support today of this resolution, which recognizes the 
honorable efforts of our United States Armed Forces and our local first 
responders to meet the needs of Haitians following the tragic 
earthquake of January 12, 2010. We thank them for their service, we 
thank them for making us very proud, and we thank them for their 
compassion and their professionalism as they conducted their work.
  As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, I would like to extend 
our thanks also to Congressman Meek for his work on this bipartisan 
resolution as well as for his leadership on issues related to Haiti, 
which he has demonstrated for so many years, long before this 
devastating earthquake struck. I actually spoke with Congressman Meek 
when he was in Haiti recently, and I will tell you that his work and 
his insights and his commitment to help those suffering was deep and 
real.
  The CBC has a long history of working with the Haitian and Haitian 
American communities, and during the current crisis, we have and will 
continue to work closely with the Obama administration to provide 
whatever assistance it can to the relief, recovery, and reconstruction 
efforts.
  I would also like to take a moment and thank Congressman McMahon and 
Congressman Tim Murphy for their work on two more Haiti-related 
resolutions coming to the floor today. H. Res. 1059, honoring the 
heroism of the USAID urban search and rescue teams, one of which is 
from my home State of California; and H. Res. 1048, commending the work 
of the men and women of the USNS Comfort and the United States Navy.
  As our President recently said, America has no greater resource than 
the strength and the compassion of the American people. During the 
current crisis, we have seen the strength and compassion firsthand. Our 
Armed Forces, our urban rescue teams, our first responders have 
certainly shown us this firsthand and, as I said earlier, they have 
made us extremely proud.
  While all of our eyes are on Haiti, we must determine the best way to 
help Haiti move forward, to empower Haitians to rebuild in a much more 
sustainable manner, one that can withstand natural disasters and 
economic recessions alike. What an even greater tragedy it would be if 
just a few years down the line another disaster strikes and again we 
look to ourselves to ask the same questions: What went wrong? What do 
we do now?
  So now is the time to garner the support of the international 
community. Now is the time to develop a strategy to promote the long-
term reconstruction and development of one of the poorest countries in 
the world yet one we call our neighbor, one whose people are strong and 
resilient. We have not only the resources; we have the compassion of 
the American people.
  So I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and to 
express our deep appreciation to our Armed Forces, to our first 
responders, to the urban rescue teams.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Titus). The time of the gentlewoman has 
expired.
  Mr. SKELTON. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.
  Ms. LEE of California. I just want to make sure that we recognize and 
understand that this resolution is so important today, because we don't 
have many opportunities to thank our Armed Forces and our first 
responders and the urban rescue teams who were the face of America, who 
are the face of America, as they rose to the occasion to help the 
people of Haiti in the wake of this ongoing tragedy.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
1066--to honor the extreme bravery, responsiveness and effectiveness 
demonstrated by our United States Armed Services, local first 
responders and other members in support of Operation Unified Response 
led by USAID.
  As you know, on Tuesday, January 12, 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.
  Within hours of the earthquake, the United States sent world-class 
teams of first responders and search and rescue teams to help search 
for survivors. These teams, from all across the country, comprised 
roughly one-third of the entire international search and rescue effort 
in Haiti. In total, the United States sent over 511 rescue workers. 
These rescue workers worked tirelessly to search for survivors, and 
found and rescued more than 130 people from under the rubble. Without 
these search and rescue units, it is possible that these people would 
not have been located in time to save their lives.
  In the following days, 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. Coast Guard, U.S. military engineers, operational 
planners, and a command and control group and communication specialists 
arriving on two C-130 Hercules aircraft.
  Shortly thereafter, U.S. Southern Command had established Joint Task 
Force-Haiti to oversee U.S. military relief efforts in which was 
commanded by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ken Keen. From the initial response 
forward more than 13,000 U.S. military personnel, 19 ships and more 
than 60 aircraft are supporting operations to provide relief and care 
to more than three million Haitians who were affected by the January 12 
earthquake.
  U.S. military forces are currently supporting efforts to provide 
shelter, establish settlements, and conduct debris removal as well as 
ensuring the delivery of aid to the Haitian people. They are also 
assisting the World Food

[[Page H671]]

Program's food distribution surge while continuing to work with the 
U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, the international 
community and local responders to alleviate human suffering and support 
humanitarian relief efforts.
  The hospital ship USNS Comfort, embarked with nearly 1,000 medical 
personnel, is treating a steady stream of Haitian patients. Comfort's 
hospital capabilities include fully-equipped operating rooms, digital 
radiological services, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, an optometry 
lab, a CAT-scan and two oxygen-producing plants. Comfort's bed capacity 
is about 1,000.
  Members supporting Operation Unified Response are also helping move 
thousands of pounds of medical aid to various distribution points and 
are working with local officials to address long-term rehabilitation of 
the Haitian public health system.
  As of February 21 the incredible members of Operation Unified 
Response had delivered more than 2.6 million bottles of water, 2.2 
million food rations, 17 million pounds of bulk food and 147,000 pounds 
of medical supplies into Haiti. Additionally, water production 
continues as U.S. military and international water purification units 
produce thousands of gallons of drinkable water daily.
  I would like to personally thank the professional team of Sailor, 
Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen of U.S. Southern Command 
for their role in providing guidance and securing passage for a Texas-
based initial response medical team. These military professionals 
played a key role in arranging for the doctors and medical personnel 
from the Forest Park Medical Center to obtain the necessary clearance 
from the State and Defense Departments to fly jets carrying supplies, 
seven doctors, six nurses, two techs, and two search and rescue 
volunteers to Haiti.
  The medical team, led by Dr. Richard Toussaint, flew from Dallas Love 
Field Airport and arrived in Haiti where they treated about 600 
patients, including 70 amputations, and 150 surgeries. The team also 
provided medical and supplies to Haiti's Hospital Sacre Coeur.
  America is committed to deliver her support to our neighbor who is 
still in dire need of our continued and immediate humanitarian 
assistance. This effort will be a monumental task that will take years 
to complete but we must be resolute to help the people of this 
struggling island nation rebuild their livelihoods.
  To date the United States Government has contributed over $400 
million in earthquake response funding for Haiti. It has also deployed 
approximately 19,000 military personnel in support of the relief 
effort. Subsequently, as part of the new Government of Haiti-lead 
effort, the U.N. World Food Program will provide commodities, non-
governmental organizations will manage distributions, and U.S. military 
will provide security escorts.
  America and her allies have delivered a comprehensive, interagency 
response to the earthquake. The State Department, Department of 
Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, USAID--all 
worked vigorously to ensure critical resources were positioned to 
support the response and recovery effort, including efforts to find and 
assist American citizens in Haiti.
  Once again I am proud of our Armed Services, the first responders and 
all the members of Operation Unified Relief that deliver an 
overwhelming successful initial response. We all owe you a debt of 
gratitude and our undying support.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
voice my support for H. Res. 1066 to recognize the bravery and efforts 
of the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other 
members of Operation Unified Response for their coordinated response to 
the January 12, 2010 Haitian earthquake. I am remarkably proud of the 
work we have done to assist with the recovery efforts in Haiti after 
this earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
  With this in mind, many citizens from my home city of Dallas answered 
the call to service and went to Haiti to help with relief efforts. I am 
particularly moved by the work of Dr. Craig Hobar who is the founder of 
Life Enhancement Association for People, LEAP, a non-profit 
organization dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of people 
around the world by providing specialized medical services. Shortly 
after the earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Hobar was in the country with Dr. 
Ale Mitchell to help assist with amputations and trauma surgeries. In 
addition to this, Dr. Hobar has pledged to help bring volunteer medical 
teams to Haiti from around the world for the next year through the LEAP 
Foundation.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my fellow colleagues to join me today in 
honoring all the first responders in Haiti by supporting this important 
resolution.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. FLEMING. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, having no further requests for time, I 
yield back the balance of my time as well.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1066.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SKELTON. 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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