Haiti Economic Lift Program Act Of 2010

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5160 introduced in the House of Representatives by my friend and colleague, Representative Rangel. H.R. 5160 is an important piece of legislation to extend the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to provide custom support for the Haitian apparel sector.

On January 12, 2010, Haiti, one of the poorest country's in the world and the poorest in the western hemisphere, was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake killed thousands of people leaving Haiti's capital partially destroyed. Homes, offices, factories, roads, ports, communications, and other facilities were reduced to ruins. As a result, millions of people have lost their livelihood.

Prior to the earthquake, the Haitian government was implementing a number of measures to promote economic growth and the growing apparel sector was a promising success story. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, however, this sector was devastated by the earthquake.

Through its preference trade programs, including those under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008, ``HOPE II Act'', the United States has been an important contributor to Haiti's economic development initiatives by providing duty-free tariff treatment to certain apparel produced in Haiti.

In this time of great need for Haiti, I am proud to support H.R. 5160 which would extend duty free treatment to any apparel entering the United States directly imported from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This measure would dramatically assist Haiti in rebuilding their economy.

I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation to show Haitians' the United States' strong commitment to their recovery, development and prosperity.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source