[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 529]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. To my Haitian constituents, those of Haitian descent 
in Houston, Texas, and those around the Nation, I want you to know that 
we have not forgotten you.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of the victims of the Haitian 
earthquake that took so many hundreds of thousands of Haitian citizens 
in a terrible, massive disaster. Nearly 4 years after Haiti's 
devastating earthquake, there is still too little transparency and 
accountability, with too much work to do and too many Haitians 
suffering.
  As Haitian Americans are caught up in our broken immigration system, 
it is important for them to know that we have not forgotten their loved 
ones. There are close to 300,000 people still living in tent camps, 
many of whom are facing forced evictions. Although there was a great 
deal of sympathy and help, now is the time to be able to look to those 
who are still suffering.
  Cholera has killed over 8,400 Haitians and sickened over 689,000; 
hundreds of thousands of Haitians have little or no access to potable 
water or basic health services; Haiti is facing an impending food 
crisis; and the children are suffering, according to local and 
international organizations. That is why I have supported H.R. 3509, 
the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act of 2013. This legislation will give 
Congress information.
  According to the GAO, Congress lacks information on the amount of 
funds that have been obligated and disbursed. But Congress must do 
something. They are our friends and neighbors; they are our allies, and 
Haiti cannot suffer this alone.
  As I conclude, let me thank the Congressional Black Caucus for the 
work that it has done. Without ceasing, we will continue to work 
together and work with this Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the victims of the massive earthquake 
in Haiti four years ago.
  Nearly four years after Haiti's devastating earthquake, there is 
still far too little transparency and accountability around U.S. relief 
and reconstruction aid efforts.
  There are close to 300,000 people still living in tent camps, many of 
whom are facing forced evictions. Cholera has killed over 8,400 
Haitians and sickened over 689,400 since it was first introduced to 
Haiti in October of 2010.
  Hundreds of thousands of Haitians have little or no access to potable 
water or basic health services, and Haiti is facing an impending food 
crisis according to local and international organizations, and the 
government of Haiti.
  That is why we should pass H.R. 3509, the ``Assessing Progress in 
Haiti Act of 2013.'' This legislation, which I am proud to co-sponsor, 
will greatly assist Congress in overseeing U.S. assistance in Haiti by 
providing lawmakers, the U.S. public, and Haitians with key details on 
the manner in which U.S. taxpayer money is being spent.
  According to the GAO, ``Congress lacks information on the amounts of 
funds obligated and disbursed and program-by-program progress of U.S. 
reconstruction activities [in Haiti].''
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Haiti continue to face tremendous 
challenges and still need our help.
  That is why it is essential that we ensure that U.S. assistance to 
Haiti is delivered efficiently is more essential than ever.

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