Commending Haiti for Holding Democratic Elections
COMMENDING HAITI FOR HOLDING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS -- (House of Representatives - March 28, 2006)
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and Members, I thank the gentleman from American Samoa, and I would like to thank the Chair of the International Relations Committee, the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the ranking member of that committee, my colleague from California, Congressman Lantos, and the Chair and ranking member of the International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Congressman Burton and Congressman Engel.
I would also like to commend Congressman Foley, and before I talk a little bit about our visit, I would like to thank many Members of Congress: Congresswoman BARBARA LEE, who cochairs the task force on Haiti with Congressman JOHN CONYERS and the Congressional Black Caucus; Congressman Delahunt; Congresswoman JAN SCHAKOWSKY; the many Members of Congress who have fought and stayed with the problem and did not give up.
Haiti, and the people of Haiti have suffered mightily. The struggle between the haves and the have-nots is legendary, the rich versus the poor, the elite versus the rejected, the mulattos versus the blacks.
Haiti needs a break. Haiti has experienced economic dislocation. It has experienced devastating hurricanes. But the people of Haiti have worked and they have believed in democracy. And so the people, on February 7, 2006, they went to the polls and they voted. More than 60 percent of the people of Haiti registered and they voted. They demonstrated their commitment to democracy.
Oh, they had all kind of obstacles. On that day there was a shortage of election workers and polling places, and there were long lines that caused voters to have to wait for hours before they could exercise their right to vote. But they voted. And they did what they had to do. They walked for miles and they voted. And in the end, President Preval emerged victorious.
The people of Haiti voted, including the Lavalas Party, the party that had elected President Aristide. They voted in large numbers. They are the predominant party in Haiti. And despite their lingering concerns about the way in which their democratically elected president, Mr. Aristide, had been removed from office, they did not boycott the elections. Despite the obstacles and the inconveniences of the election, they were determined to cast their vote and have their voices heard.
The people of Haiti elected Mr. Rene Garcia Preval. The people of Haiti simply want what all democracy should afford: fairness, justice and equality.
Haiti is a poor country. Haiti deserves our support. Haiti deserves the support of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Haiti deserves bilateral support.
The people of Haiti want investment and trade. The people of Haiti do not deserve to have their will undermined by the powerful elite who are well connected to the power brokers in the U.S., Canada and France. We can encourage investment in Haiti and support fair wages and decent housing and public education for all of the children.
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