[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
2010 HAITI EARTHQUAKE
(Ms. WILSON of Florida asked and was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute.)
Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on the fourth anniversary of the
worst natural disaster in recent history, the earthquake in Haiti of
2010, I rise to honor those affected and salute the strength and
resilience of the Haitian people.
The earthquake in January 2010 claimed hundreds of thousands of lives
and destroyed the livelihoods of nearly 3 million more people. Take a
moment to contemplate the enormity of this calamity:
More than three-quarters of the schools in the capital were rendered
useless, leaving young Haitians with little opportunity to learn and no
safe space to spend their time;
A quarter of the civil servants in Port-au-Prince were killed,
resulting in an overwhelming need for administrative service providers
and security personnel.
Thanks to the resolve and hard work of the Haitian people, as well as
effective assistance from the Obama administration and our
international partners, Haiti has started on the process of recovery.
The fourth anniversary of Haiti's tragedy provides an opportunity to
honor those who lost their lives and recognize the progress that has
been achieved. It is also a time to reaffirm our commitment to help
Haiti rebound, by insisting on accountability and transparency.
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