[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17369]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCING THE HAITIAN EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2010

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Haitian Educational Empowerment Act of 2010. This legislation will 
allow those students who have had their studies interrupted as a result 
of the January 12th earthquake to complete their degrees at a U.S. 
university. It will also provide grants to American universities that 
have taken in Haitian students so that these schools can provide 
necessary support services.
  As we are all well aware, this past January, a 7.0 magnitude 
earthquake rocked the already struggling nation of Haiti. Approximately 
three million people were affected and 230,000 are estimated to have 
died. Those that survived are facing unimaginable conditions with a 
crumbling infrastructure that has hindered the availability of even 
basic necessities.
  However, in addition to the massive physical devastation and loss of 
human life, the earthquake also dealt a devastating blow to Haiti's 
already struggling higher education sector. With 87 percent of Haiti's 
universities located in the affected region, the earthquake leveled 
many university buildings and killed scores of students and academics. 
The State University of Haiti, the nation's largest, saw 80 percent of 
its buildings destroyed.
  Even if classes are able to resume under current conditions, many 
students have found that they can no longer afford to attend as they 
and their families struggle to recover from the earthquake. 
Additionally, prior to the earthquake, only 1 percent of Haitians 
between the ages of 18 and 24 were enrolled in a university. For many 
of these students, a college education was their ticket out of poverty.
  Now, they have not only seen their loved ones perish and their homes 
reduced to rubble, but their hopes for a better future have been dashed 
as well. My legislation will allow these students to complete their 
studies while requiring them to return to the island upon completion to 
put their education to work.
  At a time of extreme instability and crisis, the United States must 
do all within its power to help Haiti rebuild from this current 
tragedy. However, this recovery cannot be sustainable if Haitians lack 
the necessary skills to participate in the process.
  While investments are made to rebuild and expand Haiti's university 
system, it would be counterproductive if, in the meantime, we allow 
Haiti to fall even further behind in educational attainment. My 
legislation will not only provide immediate relief to those struggling 
students who saw their hopes squandered on January 12th, but will also 
help ensure a more robust, long term recovery.
  I ask my colleagues to support this legislation and urge the House 
Leadership to bring it swiftly to the House floor for consideration.

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