Congressional Black Caucus
Floor Speech
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Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, let me also thank Congresswoman Fudge for her outstanding work in managing the time of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Special Orders, and for her expertise and talent that she lends to all of the subject matter.
This particular Special Order on aid to Haiti is of great relevance to me. As we all know, on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the Caribbean nation of Haiti, leaving most of the nation in utter devastation. Critical infrastructure was destroyed, and the death toll continues to rise as I speak, with reports estimating over 150,000 people perished.
As one of my local council members, Mr. Jumaane Williams, stated, or phrased it, in Brooklyn, New York, we were victim to a 7.0 emotional aftershock as members of our vibrant Haitian American community come to grips with the utter death, destruction, and devastation faced in their homeland. As a Brooklyn native whose roots are firmly planted in my Caribbean heritage, this tragedy has hit home in more ways than I could ever imagine. New York is home to the second largest population of Haitian immigrants in the United States, most of whom reside in my district.
I would like to take an opportunity to just recognize the Congressional Black Caucus for the leadership that they've taken in Congress in ensuring that we remain focused and committed to assist Haiti and to tend to the injured, orphaned, hungry, and dispossessed as Haiti continues with its recovery efforts.
I would like to thank Chairwoman BARBARA LEE of the Congressional Black Caucus for her longtime leadership and commitment to fighting on behalf of Haiti. I also want to applaud her hard work in bringing the resolution to the floor that we just passed expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.
I'd also like to thank Chairman CHARLES RANGEL and Majority Whip JIM CLYBURN for working quickly to get H.R. 4462 passed in the House. This legislation would allow all individuals who choose to donate during this time of crisis in Haiti to claim an itemized charitable deduction on this year's--2009, excuse me--tax return.
As Haiti continues to recover, my heart goes out to my Haitian sisters and brothers as they endure this tragedy. I also express my deep sympathy and support for their families.
Through all of the devastation, all of the trauma, the 11th Congressional District of New York, like the rest of this Nation and the global community, has demonstrated a unity of purpose in mobilizing goods, services, and volunteers to help their families and relations in Haiti.
While I will continue to applaud the humanitarian efforts for Haiti, it is important that we do not allow compassion fatigue to set in.
We must continue to uphold our commitment to helping our neighbors in the Caribbean. As a representative with the second-largest population of first- and second-generation Haitian immigrants located in my district, my office has been inundated and overwhelmed with calls from concerned constituents worried about their loved ones and their homeland. While my office has been vigorously working with the State Department to meet the needs of our constituents, there are many concerns that still need to be addressed.
For many Haitian Americans, a major issue is family reunification. Most of their family members have lost everything, many are sick, injured, and living on the streets; babies and the elderly are vulnerable to disease; a majority of them are traumatized by their experiences.
And since my constituents are blessed to live in the United States--many of them have obtained their citizenship--they have the capacity to take care of their family members, they have the wherewithal to console, comfort, and nurse their families back to health and support their material needs.
The only thing that impedes this reunification is that their family members are not American citizens and-or legal permanent residents and do not rank highly on the immigration priority list.
I would encourage the administration to address this issue and work to reunite family members who are suffering from this devastation.
And in response to this tragedy, on January 15, 2010, the Obama administration--which is to be commended for its quick action and its steadfast commitment--has granted temporary protected status to Haitian nationals currently in the United States. Unfortunately, there are those who try to take advantage and exploit those who seek to change their status, and I am concerned that there are fraudulent entities offering services and inflating the prices of the TPS application process for Haitians seeking it.
It is important that we empower our residents affected by the devastation with the information and resources they need to access this status. That is why just last week I joined my colleagues in the New York City congressional delegation, State delegation, and New York City delegation in the opening of the Haitian Family Resource Center at the Brooklyn armory. The center will be a one-stop resource center for families who have been impacted by the earthquake. It will offer Creole-speaking translation services, immigration assistance, and help with completing immigration applications, child guardianship, and custody services, legal assistance, and help in locating family members, mental health services, coordination of volunteer efforts, and daily accurate briefings on the status of relief efforts.
Know that I will continue to work closely with my colleagues, the Obama administration, and Caribbean officials to help this Nation recover from this natural disaster.
I want to thank you once again, my colleague, for sharing this time where we can share information with the Nation about what is taking place in Haiti and ask that they continue to hold this Nation, our Caribbean neighbors, in their prayers
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