March 05, 2003
The briefing with Madame Aristide, held in the Rayburn House Office Building, featured a number of experts on Haiti, including former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums; Dr. Paul Farmer, Director of Harvard Partners in Health Haiti Project; Selena Mendy Singleton, Vice President of TransAfrica Forum; and Loune Viaud, 2002 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Laureate.
"It is important that we are coming together to talk about these important issues," said Lee. "The American public needs to understand the tragedy of the situation in Haiti, which is too often overlooked by the international community, especially the U.S."
That forum highlighted the Haiti issues that Lee has been working on throughout her tenure in Congress, including her work as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Haiti Task Force. Her Haiti Aid in Transition Initiative, which already has ten Congressional co-sponsors, calls on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to send Haiti the $145 million in promised loans for infrastructure projects. The IDB is withholding $54 million for water and sanitation projects, $50 million for the rehabilitation of rural roads, $22.5 million for the reorganization of the country’s health sector, and $19.4 million for an education program.
Lee’s resolution also calls for the International Monetary Fund to develop a staff-monitored program with the Haitian government in order to fully recognize the scope of the economic and health care crises devastating Haiti.
"Too often, we get caught up in the politics of Haiti and forget the 8 million people who need basic humanitarian assistance," said Lee. "A severe humanitarian disaster threatens those millions of men, women and children, as they face a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, extreme poverty and high infant mortality rates. The disbursement of these loans can mean the difference between life and death."
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts Congressional Haiti Forum; Introduces Legislation to Demand that Haiti Receive $149 Million in Promised Infrastructure Aid
Washington, DC – On the same day that Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Donna Christian-Christensen hosted a Congressional briefing on the health and economic crises in Haiti, which featured Madame Mildred Aristide, First Lady of Haiti, Congresswoman Lee introduced the first in a series of Haiti-related legislative measures. Lee’s Haiti Aid in Transition Initiative calls on international financial institutions to release the $145 million in previously promised humanitarian and infrastructure aid.The briefing with Madame Aristide, held in the Rayburn House Office Building, featured a number of experts on Haiti, including former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums; Dr. Paul Farmer, Director of Harvard Partners in Health Haiti Project; Selena Mendy Singleton, Vice President of TransAfrica Forum; and Loune Viaud, 2002 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Laureate.
"It is important that we are coming together to talk about these important issues," said Lee. "The American public needs to understand the tragedy of the situation in Haiti, which is too often overlooked by the international community, especially the U.S."
That forum highlighted the Haiti issues that Lee has been working on throughout her tenure in Congress, including her work as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Haiti Task Force. Her Haiti Aid in Transition Initiative, which already has ten Congressional co-sponsors, calls on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to send Haiti the $145 million in promised loans for infrastructure projects. The IDB is withholding $54 million for water and sanitation projects, $50 million for the rehabilitation of rural roads, $22.5 million for the reorganization of the country’s health sector, and $19.4 million for an education program.
Lee’s resolution also calls for the International Monetary Fund to develop a staff-monitored program with the Haitian government in order to fully recognize the scope of the economic and health care crises devastating Haiti.
"Too often, we get caught up in the politics of Haiti and forget the 8 million people who need basic humanitarian assistance," said Lee. "A severe humanitarian disaster threatens those millions of men, women and children, as they face a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, extreme poverty and high infant mortality rates. The disbursement of these loans can mean the difference between life and death."
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