Encouraging the continuation and further expansion of sister-city relationships between United States and Haitian municipalities as an essential instrument in the ongoing efforts to rebuild Haiti and restore hope and prosperity to its people.

Whereas casualty estimates, still being compiled, as well as infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports, hospitals, and residential dwellings, place this earthquake as the worst... (Introduced in House)

HRES 1332 IH

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. RES. 1332

Encouraging the continuation and further expansion of sister-city relationships between United States and Haitian municipalities as an essential instrument in the ongoing efforts to rebuild Haiti and restore hope and prosperity to its people.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 5, 2010

Mr. HIMES submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Encouraging the continuation and further expansion of sister-city relationships between United States and Haitian municipalities as an essential instrument in the ongoing efforts to rebuild Haiti and restore hope and prosperity to its people.

Whereas, on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country of Haiti;

Whereas casualty estimates, still being compiled, as well as infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports, hospitals, and residential dwellings, place this earthquake as the worst cataclysm to hit Haiti in over two centuries;

Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 people, nearly one-third of the country's population, have been directly affected by the disaster in Haiti and are currently at risk of long-term displacement and vulnerability;

Whereas Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in the Western Hemisphere, and prior to the earthquake was ranked 149 out of 182 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index;

Whereas President Obama vowed the `unwavering support' of the United States and pledged a `swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives and support the recovery in Haiti';

Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Security has temporarily halted the deportation of Haitian nationals to Haiti in response to the devastation caused by the earthquake;

Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Security granted the designation of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals who are in the United States and unable to return to their country due to the destruction and humanitarian crisis in Haiti;

Whereas individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organizations across the United States and throughout the international community have responded in support of Haiti and its populace during this time of crisis, sometimes in innovative ways such as fundraising through text messaging;

Whereas the House of Representatives, in H. Res. 1021, passed on January 21, 2010, `commend[ed] the efforts of the American people, including the Haitian-American community, to provide relief to families, friends, and unknown peoples suffering in the country', and `recognize[d] that the recovery and long-term needs of Haiti will require a sustained commitment by the United States and international community based on comprehensive assessments of the development needs for Haiti';

Whereas the House of Representatives in H. Res. 1021 urged the President to `utilize new and innovative thinking in providing long-term assistance to Haiti, including tapping into the insight and immense potential of the Haitian Diaspora, to help Haitians rebuild upon the strongest possible foundation, in order to promote a stable and sustainable future for Haiti.';

Whereas the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, through its City Council, has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in its assistance to the Haitian people, through its ongoing sister-city relations with the City of Petion-Ville, Haiti;

Whereas in the weeks following the earthquake, the Bridgeport City Council enacted a resolution reaffirming its commitment to the people of Petion-Ville, and has continued to expand its humanitarian outreach to the people of Petion-Ville;

Whereas a large number of towns and cities in Connecticut are actively engaged in sister-city relationships in the developing and developed world, relationships which not only provide direct help those sister cities need to meet the humanitarian needs of their people, but also further the United States interest in strengthening its cultural and economic ties in all corners of the globe; and

Whereas Sister City International, a nonprofit organization with roots in President Eisenhower's historic September 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy, has helped establish 1,992 sister-city partnerships involving 694 United States municipalities: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives encourages the continuation and further expansion of sister-city relationships between United States and Haitian municipalities as an essential instrument in the ongoing efforts to rebuild Haiti and restore hope and prosperity to its people.