[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 67 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E770-E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HAITI ECONOMIC LIFT PROGRAM ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to express my strong 
support for H.R. 5160, the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010. I 
would like to thank my colleagues Congressmen Rangel, Levin, and Camp 
for introducing this important bipartisan legislation, which will 
expand trade preferences to Haiti in the wake of January's devastating 
earthquake.
  In the immediate aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, we saw 
images of unimaginable devastation from Haiti, followed by an 
unprecedented outpouring of international goodwill. Nearly five months 
after the earthquake, the situation in Haiti remains extremely 
critical. Thousands of people remain displaced from their homes and 
livelihoods.
  I traveled to Port au Prince in early March, and I was inspired by 
the hope and courage of the Haitian people, even in the face of 
unimaginable loss. Even as we continue to work to ensure that medical 
care, shelter, and sanitation supplies reach Haitians affected by the 
earthquake, we must also turn our attention to Haiti's future, and help 
Haitians rebuild a stronger country.
  January's earthquake not only damaged individual livelihoods, it 
demolished Haiti's already precarious economy. This legislation is an 
important first step toward putting Haiti

[[Page E771]]

back on the road toward economic development. By providing incentives 
for trade and investment in Haiti's textile sector, this legislation 
will help to create jobs for Haitians struggling to recover from the 
earthquake.
  I am very grateful to the Committee on Ways and Means for consulting 
with the domestic industry, listening to the concerns of American 
manufacturers, and crafting this bill so that it will benefit workers 
both in Haiti and in the United States. In addition, this bill 
continues the International Labor Organization's monitoring program, 
ensuring that the factories benefitting from U.S. trade preferences 
respect the fundamental rights of their workers.
  Mr. Speaker, Haiti faces a long road ahead. On January 11, 2010, 
Haiti was already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere; a day 
later, the nation was left to cope with horrific devastation, loss of 
life, and trauma.
  This bill is one way we can help Haitians rebuild their country and 
grow their economy. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this important legislation.

                          ____________________