[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H679-H683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE U.S. NAVY FOR ITS WORK IN HAITI
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1048) commending the efforts and honoring the
work of the men and women of USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in
the immediate response to those affected by the earthquake that struck
Haiti on January 12, 2010, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1048
Whereas, on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake
struck the country of Haiti;
Whereas casualty estimates, upwards of 150,000, as well as
damage to roads, ports, hospitals, and homes, make this
earthquake one of the worst catastrophes 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 Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in
the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas prior to the earthquake, Haiti was recovering from
a terrible string of hurricanes and tropical storms, food
shortages and rising commodity prices, and political
instability, but was showing signs of improvement and
resolve;
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 people of Haiti have shown remarkable
resilience and courage in the face of epic tragedy;
Whereas the United States Navy responded within hours of
the earthquake to swiftly provide the Haitians with aid;
Whereas the USNS Comfort and its crew of more than 1,200
has provided 24-hour care for over 900 Haitians, ranging from
newborns to critically ill patients;
Whereas the USNS Comfort's over 550-person medical staff
includes trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, head and neck
surgeons, eye surgeons, and obstetricians and gynecologists;
Whereas the medical staff of the USNS Comfort, as of
February 18, 2010, had performed over 755 surgeries;
[[Page H680]]
Whereas the extraordinary USNS Comfort medical staff has
saved countless lives;
Whereas the people of the United States empathize with the
medical staff of the USNS Comfort who must make agonizing
decisions about the use of scarce resources for critically
ill patients;
Whereas prior to the arrival of the USNS Comfort, the USS
Carl Vinson dutifully provided initial triage of patients;
and
Whereas the USNS Comfort and the USS Carl Vinson have been
aided in their efforts by other Navy vessels, including the
crews of the USS Higgins, the USS Underwood, the USS
Normandy, the USS Bunker Hill, the USS Bataan, the USS Carter
Hall, the USS Gunston Hall, the USS Fort McHenry, the USNS
Grasp, the Navy Underwater Construction Team One, and the
Navy Mobile Diving Salvage Unit Two: 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;
(3) commends the efforts of the people of the United
States, including the Haitian-American community, to provide
relief to families, friends, and unknown peoples suffering in
the country; and
(4) commends the efforts and honors the work of the men and
women of USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in the
immediate response to those affected by this calamity.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. McMahon) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. McMAHON. 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
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution, and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this resolution recognizes the tireless, selfless, and
heroic efforts of the men and women of the USNS Comfort and the entire
United States Navy in responding to the tragic earthquake that rocked
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, on January 12,
2010.
While many have known about Haiti's long and trying history in the
face of natural disaster, food shortage, volatile prices, and an
unstable political system, this latest trial, a 7.0 magnitude
earthquake has brought with it a sea of new challenges, directly
affecting 3 million people, nearly one-third of the country's
population.
Amid the catastrophic destruction of homes, roads, schools,
hospitals, and infrastructure, and casualty estimates being measured in
the hundreds of thousands, there is a deep need for immediate material
aid and medical support for survivors. Within hours of the quake, the
United States Navy was on the scene in Port-au-Prince to swiftly
administer aid to the Haitian people.
The USNS Comfort and its 1,200 crew members have since offered
around-the-clock medical services for up to 900 Haitians facing a wide
range of health issues and maladies, many of them critical. They have
saved the lives of 98 percent of the ship's patients, a testament to
the USNS Comfort's dedication and laudable medical capabilities.
The 550 medical personnel aboard the Comfort represent a wide array
of specialties, including trauma surgeons, and have been working around
the clock, since even before the Comfort reached Haiti, as patients
began arriving by helicopter while they were en route. This vessel's
brave crew has brought with it rays of hope, and is a symbol of the
United States' and international outpouring of aid and sympathy.
In the wake of this terrible catastrophe, the Haitian people have
once again called upon their reserves of courage and resilience, and
the United States is proud to stand as a leader with them in their hour
of need.
I believe it is fair to say that the USNS Comfort is aptly named. It
has provided comfort in terms of health and saving lives to the victims
of this terrible calamity. I therefore, Madam Speaker, urge my
colleagues to strongly support this resolution.
House of Representatives,
House Committee on Armed Services,
Washington, DC, February 22, 2010.
Hon. Howard L. Berman,
Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House
Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: On January 27, 2010, the House
Resolution 1048, ``Commending the efforts and honoring the
work of the men and women of USNS Comfort and the United
States Navy in the immediate response to those affected by
the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010'' was
introduced in the House. This measure was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Armed Services, 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.
Our Committee recognizes the importance of H. Res. 1048,
and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously.
Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over
this legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive
further consideration of H. Res. 1048. I do so with the
understanding that by waiving further consideration of the
resolution, the Committee does not waive any future
jurisdictional claims over similar measures.
I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy
of your response in the Congressional Record during
consideration of the measure on the House floor.
Very truly yours,
Ike Skelton,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, February 23, 2010.
Hon. Ike Skelton,
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office
Bldg., Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding
House Resolution 1048, ``Commending the efforts and honoring
the work of the men and women of USNS Comfort and the United
States Navy in the immediate response to those affected by
the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.'' This
measure was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in
addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 Armed Services has certain
valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I
appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H.
Res. 1048 in the interest of expediting consideration of this
important measure. I understand that by agreeing to waive
further consideration, the Committee on Armed Services 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.
Sincerely,
Howard L. Berman,
Chairman.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today as a proud cosponsor of the bill before us, House
Resolution 1048, commending the efforts and honoring the work of the
men and women of the USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in the
immediate response to those affected by the earthquake that struck
Haiti on January 12, 2010.
The tremendous impact of this natural disaster appeared almost
insurmountable at one point. Six weeks later, however, we have seen
remarkable achievements and great promise for the future. The swift and
comprehensive response of the United States has helped to save
countless lives. In particular, the men and women of the U.S. Navy,
particularly those serving on the hospital ship Comfort, have provided
vital medical and relief services.
Before it had even reached the shores of Haiti, the Comfort was
receiving patients flown in from the USS Carl Vinson. They had nearly
100 new admissions on their first day on station. Within 2 weeks of
arriving, the Comfort had performed over 500 surgeries and provided 24-
hour care for countless others. And as of late last week, nearly 800
surgeries had been performed. I join my colleagues in commending this
tremendous performance and recognizing the admirable service of the men
and women of the U.S. Navy Ship Comfort, and the many other Navy
vessels and crews who have contributed to the relief efforts in Haiti.
In addition, I would like to recognize the ongoing selfless acts of
the people
[[Page H681]]
of the United States, including the Haitian American community, to
provide relief to the people of Haiti. I have seen group after group
from my own district in South Florida and across the country mobilize
to provide medical assistance, humanitarian services, all kinds of
goods to the Haitian people. I am confident, Madam Speaker, that with
this type of ongoing support, Haiti will see a brighter future.
Again, I would like to commend and honor the work of the men and
women of the United States Navy, and particularly those on the Navy
Ship Comfort for the immediate response that they gave to the
earthquake victims in Haiti. And I thank Congressman Murphy for
introducing this important measure.
Madam Speaker, if I may, I would like to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Tim Murphy), the author
of this resolution, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Thank you, Ranking Member Ileana Ros-
Lehtinen, for this opportunity to speak about this important issue of
one of America's proud moments of how it helps when the world has need.
On January 12 of this year, we were shocked and saddened by the
devastating earthquake in Haiti. More than 230,000 Haitians are dead,
perhaps even more we will find, hundreds of thousands injured, a
million left homeless. The world responded immediately with food,
donations, and rescue workers, but among the first to respond were our
military, particularly the crew of the USNS Comfort. This 894-foot-long
floating Naval hospital set sail from Baltimore Harbor soon after the
earthquake.
Members of the ship's crew, most of whom hailed from the Navy's
hospitals in Maryland and Virginia, were soon on board and underway. By
the 17th of January, the Comfort was making full speed towards Port-au-
Prince. Before its arrival, the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier
provided immediate relief to injured Haitians. Today, the 1,200-person
Comfort crew, made up of over 550 civilian and uniformed doctors,
nurses, and others, is providing the best possible care under very
challenging circumstances.
With limited supplies but limitless compassion and skill, surgeons
and nurses and a host of other specialties, obstetricians, pharmacists,
pediatricians, and Navy personnel from the medical corps, the medical
service corps, nursing corps and so many others were there to treat
Haitians who came on board with wounds, fractures, and infections. The
crew's superb performance is a testament to our Navy and our Marines
who are confronting these very, very difficult challenges.
Even before the devastating earthquake of January 12 that took so
many lives, Haiti was a country enduring many difficult problems.
Nearly four-fifths of its people live in absolute poverty. It has less
than 50 hospitals, some of which are only staffed by a pair of nurses
and medical interns. The country has fewer than three physicians for
every 10,000 people. By comparison, our country has nearly 100 doctors
for every 10,000 people.
The absence of a medical infrastructure made treating Haitians even
more challenging, where doctors in the pediatric ward estimated that a
fifth of the children in their care had untreated, and in many cases
previously undiagnosed, medical conditions.
The USNS Comfort docked near Port-au-Prince on January 20 with 250
medical beds, but the crew quickly realized it would serve as the
primary place of treatment for a country with hundreds of thousands of
injured people. The Comfort transformed itself into a thousand-bed
facility, with 880 ward beds, 80 intensive care units, 20 post-
anesthesia care unit beds, 12 operating rooms.
On the second day of the Comfort's mission, Lieutenant Commander
Erika Beard-Irvine and Lieutenant Commander Shannon Lamb delivered a
premature baby, a 4-pound, 5-ounce baby girl named Esther, whose mother
during the earthquake, after a building collapsed upon her, had severe
injuries. Her mother went without treatment, but surgeons couldn't
repair her fractures without threatening the baby's life, so on that
day they delivered a healthy baby. She was seven weeks early, but right
on time for a ship that had never before witnessed an onboard delivery
in its 22 years of service.
The Comfort already had infants aboard, brought to the ship by
mothers unable to find post-natal care in Haiti. One of the ship's
youngest male patients is Vinson, named for the aircraft carrier USS
Carl Vinson, where his mother gave birth to him.
At the end of its second day, the Comfort had seen 184 patients, a
third of whom saw surgery. Said Lieutenant Commander Don D'Aurora,
director of the ship's receiving ward and division officer of the
emergency department at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda
to the Baltimore Sun, quote, ``I saw more patients in six hours today
than I would normally see in 24 hours back home. This is what we train
for. This is what it is about for all of us.''
Even with the crew sleeping in shifts, helicopters dropping supplies
from dawn until dusk, and the crew running around-the-clock operations
at everything from the barber shop to the mess hall, wave after wave of
critically injured patients pushed the limits of the Comfort's
capabilities. Some were stories about senses of helplessness, physical
pain, or feelings of despair and the loss of loved ones, but some
provide inspiration.
Due to the work of a Port-au-Prince native, fireman Jean Rabel, a
Navy translator aboard the Comfort, and Joe Fiscus of Rochester,
Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, Haitian national Antonio Jeanite was
reunited with his 3-month-old daughter, Christ-Yarah, on February 2. He
said, ``I am very happy. It has been seven days since I sent my
daughter to another hospital.''
The Comfort's crew knows that someday its mission will end, the ship
will return to Baltimore Harbor, and the best medical care in the
Caribbean Sea will depart with it. That is why the Comfort is making
arrangements with a stateside hospital for continuing care to treat
seriously burned patients who require months of medical attention.
The Comfort has cared for over 2,000 Haitians, and much work remains
to be done. I know that the crew and its able commander, Captain Jim
Ware, are up to the task. I commend them for their diligence, and call
for us to honor their unbreakable spirit by passing this resolution.
I would also like to recognize the crews of the Vinson (CVN-70); the
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), a dock landing ship; the USS Bataan (LHD 5),
a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship; the USS Carter Hall (LSD 50),
another dock landing ship; and several other ships, the Higgins (DDG-
76), the Underwood (FFG-36), the Normandy (CG-60), the Bunker Hill (CG-
52), the Gunston Hall (LSD-44), the Grasp (T-ARS-51), and so many other
Navy personnel and Marines who worked around the clock providing care
to so many.
You know, when one of us feels overcome with doubt or confusion, let
us think about those fatigued corpsmen and doctors and nurses aboard
the Comfort who carefully and skillfully bring their patients back,
sometimes from the brink of death, hours after hours of work with very
little sleep, pushing themselves to the limits. Let's remember those
sailors and Marines and Air Force personnel and Army soldiers who went
to Haiti, establishing the logistics, rescuing patients, taking them
out of broken buildings.
And one final story for us to remember. Rico Duprevil spent 13 days
buried alive in the rubble of a collapsed house. His legs were crushed,
his pelvis dislocated. He could not move.
{time} 1515
He said, ``There was darkness all around, all of the time. I could
not move inside. I could hear distant voices, but they could not hear
mine.''
With only a few sips of water available, he stayed alive. Almost 2
weeks later he was discovered. He said, ``I was never scared because
God was on my side. I survived by thinking of Him and praying. I
thought about my family.''
He was taken to a local hospital for basic triage. A day later he
arrived at Port-au-Prince for evaluation and possible transfer to the
Comfort. Due to the quick collection of information by Captain Richard
Sharpe, an on-site medical commander, he was transferred within just an
hour to the proper ward care above the Comfort.
All of us are proud of the great work that so many do in their armed
services. We oftentimes talk about them, but this is a great moment of
pride for
[[Page H682]]
our Nation. In particular, I'd like to salute my colleagues in the Navy
where I serve, also at the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, but
thank the Navy, the Marines, the Army, the Air Force, the Coast Guard
and all the civilians who reached out and showed the compassion that is
one of America's bright moments, and show the world what America is all
about. When the world needs us, when tragedy strikes, Americans gather
together and support them. And today, we salute those Americans who
have helped so many of those in need in Haiti.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield as much time as he
shall consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger).
Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, first, when it is not on one of its
lifesaving missions, the USNS Comfort's home is in the Port of
Baltimore. The virtual floating hospital has provided humanitarian aid
to hundreds of thousands of patients all over the world.
The Comfort was deployed after Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast,
and has supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was activated on
September 11, 2001, to provide meals, housing, medical, and
psychological services to volunteer and relief workers at Ground Zero.
It was once again called into service after the devastating
earthquake in Haiti in January that, at the most recent count, has
claimed 150,000 lives.
As the representative of the Port of Baltimore, I have always been
especially proud of the Comfort and its critical missions. I felt
especially privileged to have the chance to board the Comfort to send
off the men and women the night before they departed for Haiti.
It was a humbling experience to climb the steps aboard the Comfort
and witness doctors and nurses training for what would help them on the
shores of Haiti. I saw seamen practicing security drills, volunteers
distributing blankets and pillows, and sterilizing medical equipment,
and toured the operating rooms where so many lives would be saved by
the military personnel of our U.S. Navy.
Huge cranes were loading truckloads of medical supplies onto its
deck. In what should have been chaos, I saw the focus and precision
perhaps capable only by our United States military.
Once in Haiti, these men and women faced choices unimaginable to
those of us back here watching it all on TV. On their first day they
felt tremendous frustration when the helicopter that would carry
patients aboard had no place to land on shore.
They have delivered babies, treated patients who are paralyzed,
missing limbs, and suffering from infections made worse by neglect.
They have performed more than 600 surgeries in Haiti so far.
When the Comfort left, the Navy said they would be here as long as it
took. One month later, these military personnel still remain in Haiti,
away from their families, treating hundreds of patients each day.
Because the ship is now over capacity, the workers are sleeping in
shifts. And I know that most of them wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Amid the horror, the USNS Comfort, a mile out into the bay, is a
beacon of hope for those still injured and untreated.
My heart goes out to the people of Haiti and their relatives
throughout the United States. We are proud of the men and women aboard
Baltimore's own Comfort who are saving lives with the vigor and skill,
again, perhaps only capable of the United States military.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the teams for
the world-renowned University of Maryland Shock Trauma who have also
traveled to Haiti. My life was saved at Maryland Shock Trauma many
years ago, and now the people of Haiti are benefiting from the skills
and expertise of the world's top medical professionals.
The teams at Shock Trauma set up operating rooms on open ground,
under tents, and are committed to remaining there until they can
deliver health care on an ongoing basis.
I've heard stories from the team, and I know the conditions take an
emotional toll, but their determination in the face of what may be, or
what could be, considered a hopeless situation is a testimony to the
American spirit.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the commitment of both the
men and women of the USNS Comfort and Maryland Shock Trauma, and wish
them luck at their missions.
And I also would like to say, this is the United States putting out
to people in need throughout the world. We are all Americans. We have
debates here on the floor, health care, all issues involving jobs, but
we still have to remember we're all Americans, and we all can say that
we should be very proud of what the United States military is doing
with the USNS Comfort and the United States Navy and all the men
working in that regard.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
1048. This resolution commends the efforts and honors the work of the
men and women of USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in the
immediate response to those affected by the earthquake that struck
Haiti on January 12, 2010.
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.
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.
To date the United States Government has contributed over $402
million in earthquake response funding for Haiti. It has also deployed
approximately 17,000 military personnel in support of the relief
effort. Subsequently, as part of the new Government of Haiti-led
effort, the U.N. World Food Program will provide commodities, non-
governmental organizations will manage distributions, and the U.S.
military will provide security escorts.
American 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.
Within hours of the earthquake, the United States mobilized a multi-
agency response that included our armed forces and civil service. With
their hospitals reduced to rubble, Port-au-Prince was unable to treat
the hundreds of thousands of injured people seeking help. In response,
the U.S. efforts included the hospital ship USNS Comfort as well as
naval helicopter ships such as the USS Carl Vinson. Arriving on station
less than 72 hours after the quake, Carl Vinson immediately rendered
assistance. Over two weeks, Vinson and its embarked 19 helicopters flew
more than 2,200 sorties, delivering more than 166 tons of food, 89,000
gallons of water and 38,700 pounds of medical supplies to earthquake
victims. Additionally, Vinson's helicopters conducted 476 medical
evacuations, MEDEVACs, and the ship's doctors and corpsmen treated 60
patients in its medical ward.
The USNS Comfort, a floating hospital, brought to Haiti a 550-person
medical staff that included trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, head
and neck surgeons, eye surgeons, and obstetricians and gynecologists.
The USNS Comfort and its crew of 1,200 have provided 24-hour care for
nearly 500 Haitians, ranging from newborns to critically ill patients.
As of January 24, 2010, the medical staff of the USNS Comfort had
performed over 100 surgeries.
The skill and perseverance displayed by these men and women are
extraordinary. The USNS Comfort medical staff has saved the lives of 98
percent of the ship's patient population as of January 25, 2010.
Madam Speaker, over a month has passed since the earthquake, the
search and rescue missions have ended, and Haiti has transitioned to
long-term reconstruction and
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development. Because our Navy cannot remain off of Haiti's coast
forever, we must work with the Haitian government to rebuild the
capacity of Haiti's medical system. Although this mission will take
time, I am confident that Haiti will build their health care system
back to be more comprehensive and robust than before the earthquake.
This will be an especially critical part of the Haitian government
because the thousands injured by the earthquake will need long-term
medical care.
Recently, I proposed a plan that would increase the ability of the
U.S. to assist Haiti in its efforts toward reconstruction and
stabilization to Dr. Rajiv Shah, the Administrator of the U.S. Agency
for International Development.
This plan would create an oversight position within the USAID that
would coordinate and regulate faith-based and non-profit organizations
operating in the reconstruction efforts in Haiti. I also recommended
the creation of a U.S. civilian corps, an extension of the American
Peace Corps, that would be tasked the specific mission of assisting
reconstruction efforts in Haiti. This civilian entity would serve as a
supplemental contingent which could be incrementally dispatched as
needed by U.S. Government agencies or nongovernment organizations.
Once again I stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti and will do
everything in my power to assist them with rebuilding their country and
livelihoods. I am proud of our first responders, and pledge that
America's long-term commitment to Haiti will live up to the standard
that the first responders set.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House
Resolution 1048, which would commend the efforts and honor the work of
the men and women of the USNS Comfort and the United States Navy who
assisted those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January
12, 2010.
Madam Speaker, in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake that
wrought devastation upon our friends and neighbors in impoverished
Haiti, President Obama pledged the ``unwavering support'' of the United
States and a ``swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives
and support the recovery.''
Today we recognize some of those who have worked tirelessly to
fulfill that pledge.
The USNS Comfort, a Mercy-class hospital ship, has previously been
deployed to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm,
Operation Sea Signal, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Noble
Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Joint Task Force Katrina, Operation
Continuing Promise, and now Operation Unified Response to support
relief efforts in Haiti.
The Comfort's 550-person medical staff includes trauma surgeons,
orthopedic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, eye surgeons,
obstetricians and gynecologists. As of January 24, 2010, the medical
staff had performed over 100 surgeries. By January 25, the ship's staff
had saved the lives of 98 percent of the ship's patient population.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, which
expresses our deepest condolences to the victims of the tragic
earthquake; our solidarity with Haitians, Haitian-Americans, and all
those who have been affected by this natural disaster; our commendation
of all who have contributed to relief efforts; and, in particular, and
our recognition of the invaluable efforts of those life-savers on the
USNS Comfort and in the United States Navy who have provided critical
immediate assistance to those suffering as a result of the earthquake.
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I strongly support H. Res.
1048, a resolution commending the efforts and honoring the work of the
men and women of USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in response to
those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
I would also like to thank Representative Tim Murphy for introducing
this piece of legislation.
Before the earthquake hit Haiti, the country was already in recovery
from a string of hurricanes and tropical storms, food shortages and
rising commodity prices, and political instability. These problems were
compounded when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the country of Haiti,
erasing any recovery efforts done prior to this catastrophe.
Estimated casualties were reported to be over 150,000 and Haiti
withstood millions in damages to the country's infrastructure. It has
been reported that 3,000,000 of Haiti's population were directly
affected by the disaster, and as a result, one third of the existing
population is displaced.
Immediately following this tragedy, President Barack 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.'' Days after the earthquake, the United States Navy
responded to President Obama's request and delivered aid. The crew of
the USNS Comfort provided 24-hour service to hundreds of critically ill
men, women and children patients. Our Navy medical personnel on USNS
Comfort saved the lives of 98 percent of the ship's patient population,
which holds a capacity of 1,000 patients, and successfully performed
100 surgeries as of January 24, 2010.
Due to the limited resources for critically ill patients, the USNS
Comfort medical staff often find themselves making grave decisions in
terms of the use of their existing resources. President Obama's pledged
support of $100 million in humanitarian aid will go a long way toward
supporting their efforts.
I commit my full support to H. Res 1048 and urge my colleagues to
vote in favor of this piece of legislation.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests for
time. I yield back the balance of our time.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. McMahon) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1048, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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