Barbara Lee Leads Discussion on the Critical Issues Facing Haiti
For Immediate Release
May 19, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined a number of her House colleagues and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) in a discussion on critical issues facing Haiti. Guest speakers included Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, and Jimmy Jean-Louis, actor on the NBC hit series Heroes who serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for Haiti’s Children at the PADF.
“Haiti is at a crossroads. In 2007, it achieved its highest GDP growth rate since 1995 – and since the return of the UN Mission to Haiti, has seen a substantial rise of international support and cooperation. But a devastating triple blow of rising food and energy prices, vicious hurricanes and tropical storms, and global economic instability has served to undermine Haiti’s progress.
“The recent attention drawn to Haiti from Secretary Clinton’s recent visit and announcement of increased foreign aid is a major step in the right direction. However, bold action is needed to capitalize on this attention and build partnerships with groups like PADF.
“My colleagues and I in Congress have called for an increase in U.S. foreign assistance from the current $300 million to $350 million, particularly in the realms of maternal and child health, clean water and sanitation, education, infrastructure, and basic security.
“We must also ensure that the Haitian state and private sector possesses the capacity and resources to channel this aid effectively and efficiently. That is why I introduced H.R. 417, the Next Steps for Haiti Act of 2009. This legislation – with the support of USAID, and in partnership with the Government of Haiti and civil society –would create a professional exchange program for Haitian and Haitian-American professionals in fields of education, healthcare, and engineering.
“Additionally, we must immediately grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitian Nationals in the United States. If we are truly committed to helping our neighbor, we must ensure that we are not assisting Haiti with the one hand, while undermining its stability with the other.
“These steps are crucial to ensuring the viability and sustainability of Haiti moving forward.”
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