[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AS A KEY COMPONENT IN HAITI'S 
                             RECONSTRUCTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to acknowledge 
the role of education as an essential sector for effective and durable 
economic and social development, all of which should be fundamental in 
the rebuilding of a great nation, such as Haiti.
  The Haitian government has reported that the January earthquake has 
caused the destruction of 95 percent of schools in the Port-au Prince 
area. It is my belief that an uneducated population has the potential 
to become a national security threat and considering this dramatic 
situation, we must confront the crisis head on. In our effort to assist 
Haiti in becoming self-sustainable, education is the first step.
  Without the promotion and cultivation of human capital, there can be 
no substantial poverty reduction. We know that educational attainments 
improve the livelihoods of the poor and reduce the likelihood of 
becoming poor.
  Since Haiti has one of the largest income gaps between the rich and 
the poor in the world, providing accessible education is instrumental 
to creating a strong middle class, as well as sustaining small business 
and stimulating entrepreneurship.
  There needs to be a plan in place that utilizes the skills of highly 
educated staff and the input of leading experts in the field of 
education. This is needed to provide improvements to the Haitian 
educational system but also serve as a platform for innovation. High 
quality education and partnerships between Haitian and foreign 
educational institutions are attainable goals.
  The Government of Haiti has indicated its intention to promote free 
quality education and it is imperative that the United States and other 
friends of Haiti mobilize their efforts to provide easy access to 
education for all Haitian children. Let this be our gift to the 
children of Haiti in return for their ancestors' sacrifice for 
democracy.

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