March 26, 2010
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
“Now, more than ever, the people of Haiti require the coordinated and sustained commitment of the Untied States,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “As Congress prepares to consider the Haiti supplemental appropriations bill, this trip will give us an opportunity to survey ongoing recovery efforts and to determine what resources are still needed, both in terms of short-term relief in advance of the rainy season as well as long-term rebuilding.”
**Note: Congresswoman Barbara Lee will be available for interviews with the media upon her return from Haiti late this evening as well as throughout the weekend. Additionally, photos from the congressional delegation trip will be made available to the media. To request photos or an interview, please contact Nicole Y. Williams at 202-579-1925.
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Barbara Lee Joins Congressional Delegation to Haiti
For Immediate Release
March 26, 2010
March 26, 2010
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Washington D.C. – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced that she will join colleagues on a congressional delegation to Haiti today to examine recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake on January 12. This trip comes just a week before the Haiti Donors Conference, where the international community will gather to pledge their long term commitments towards the reconstruction of Haiti.
“Now, more than ever, the people of Haiti require the coordinated and sustained commitment of the Untied States,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “As Congress prepares to consider the Haiti supplemental appropriations bill, this trip will give us an opportunity to survey ongoing recovery efforts and to determine what resources are still needed, both in terms of short-term relief in advance of the rainy season as well as long-term rebuilding.”
“The people of Haiti have been courageous and resilient throughout this tragedy. However, we must ensure that the United States and the international community are doing all we can to not simply ‘rebuild Haiti’ back to what it was pre-earthquake, but to empower Haitians to transform their country into one that can sustain itself and provide for the basic needs and rights of its people. ”
This past week, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a forum on Haiti entitled, “The Road to Recovery.” CBC members were joined by USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Haitian Ambassador to the U.S. Raymond Joseph, and numerous experts on Haiti. A number of issues were discussed during this event including the historical significance of U.S.-Haiti relations, as well as policy prescriptions and opportunities for rebuilding moving forward.
This was a part of the CBC’s ongoing efforts to continue to shed light on the rebuilding efforts in Haiti including various press conference and special order hours. Additionally, CBC members met with Haitian President René Préval earlier this month to discuss aid for Haiti.
Earlier this year, the House passed a resolution authored by Congresswoman Lee expressing condolences and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. The resolution, which passed the House on vote of 411 to 1, commended the efforts of the U.S. and international community in the relief efforts, urged complete debt cancellation for Haiti, and called for a coordinated effort to support the long-term recovery and reconstruction of the country.
**Note: Congresswoman Barbara Lee will be available for interviews with the media upon her return from Haiti late this evening as well as throughout the weekend. Additionally, photos from the congressional delegation trip will be made available to the media. To request photos or an interview, please contact Nicole Y. Williams at 202-579-1925.
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