[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 19 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S358-S359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to S. Res. 368, submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 368) recognizing the anniversary of
the tragic earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, honoring
those who lost their lives in the earthquake, and expressing
continued solidarity with the people of Haiti.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table; that there be no intervening action
or debate; and that any statements be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 368) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 368
Whereas, on January 12, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0
on the Richter scale struck the country of Haiti;
Whereas, according to the United States Geological Survey,
the epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 15
miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti;
Whereas, according to the Government of Haiti, more than
220,000 people died as a result of the earthquake, and more
than 300,000 people were injured;
Whereas, according to the United Nations and the
International Organization for Migration an estimated
3,000,000 people, or nearly \1/3\ of the population of Haiti
were directly affected by the disaster, and an estimated
1,500,000 people were displaced from their homes;
Whereas a Post Disaster Needs Assessment conducted by the
Government of Haiti, the United Nations, the World Bank, the
Inter-American Development Bank, and other experts, estimated
that damage and economic losses totaled $7,800,000,000, which
amounted to approximately 120 percent of the gross domestic
product of Haiti in 2009;
Whereas the response of the United States Government, led
by the United States Agency for International Development and
United States Southern Command, was swift and resolute;
Whereas individuals, businesses, and philanthropic
organizations throughout the United States and the
international community responded to the crisis by supporting
Haiti and its people through innovative ways, such as
fundraising through text messaging;
Whereas the Haitian diaspora in the United States was
integral to emergency relief efforts and continues to make
significant financial contributions to Haiti and seeks
opportunities to participate in the rebuilding of Haiti;
Whereas the International Organization for Migration
estimates that approximately 550,000 people remain in
spontaneous and organized camps in Haiti;
Whereas, at the time of the January 2010 earthquake, Haiti
was the poorest, least developed country in the Western
Hemisphere, and more than 70 percent of the population in
Haiti lived on less than $2 per day;
Whereas, before the earthquake, Haiti was making
encouraging improvement in recovering from a catastrophic
series of hurricanes and tropical storms, food shortages,
rising commodity prices, and political instability;
Whereas, in January 21, 2010, the Senate adopted by
unanimous consent Senate Resolution 392 (111th Congress),
expressing its profound sympathy and unwavering support for
the people of Haiti and urging all nations to commit to
assisting the people of Haiti with their long-term needs;
Whereas, on October 19, 2010, an outbreak of cholera was
detected in the lower Artibonite region of Haiti, which
according to the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and
Population had affected more than 500,000 people and caused
the death of more than 6,700 people nationwide by November
30, 2011;
Whereas, as of December 2011, the United States Government
had provided technical assistance and contributed more than
$73,000,000 in purified drinking water, soap, and oral
rehydration salts to combat the spread of cholera in Haiti;
and
Whereas, since the January 12, 2010, earthquake, the people
of Haiti have demonstrated unwavering resilience, dignity,
and courage: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) mourns the loss of lives as a result of the tragic
earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010;
(2) honors the service of United States personnel in the
United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince, the United States
Coast Guard, United States Armed Forces, and other United
States Government agencies, and all members of international
organizations who have persevered through adverse local
conditions and continue to serve Haiti and the Haitian
people;
(3) reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Haiti as
they work to rebuild their country and livelihoods;
(4) reaffirms its commitment to support the people of
Haiti, in partnership with the Government of Haiti and in
coordination with other donors, in long-term reconstruction;
(5) urges the United States Government, international
donors, and non-governmental organizations in Haiti to work
in full partnership with authorities, civil society, and the
private sector in Haiti and to prioritize sustainable
projects with greater opportunity for capacity building; and
(6) encourages the United States Government, the Government
of Haiti, and international donors--
(A) to give priority to policies that would enhance the
ability of the Government of Haiti to attract private sector
investment and meaningful diaspora participation, including
judicial reform, civil registry, enterprise fund, and land
tenure reform;
[[Page S359]]
(B) to develop, improve, and scale-up communications and
participatory mechanisms to more substantially involve civil
society in Haiti at all stages of the cholera and post-
earthquake responses; and
(C) to give priority to programs that protect and involve
vulnerable populations, including internally displaced
persons, children, and persons with disabilities.
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