Ben Cardin

I want to thank Senator Sessions for his cooperation in arranging for this hearing.

Senator Boxer has been very encouraging to this Subcommittee Chair to move forward on these issues.

I would just observe this is a similar issue that came up at our first hearing, whether we would have the capacity.

That seems to be the problem.

So we want to make sure it is done right.

Thank you, Senator Vitter.

The spill has been referred to as the worst environmental disaster in the United States.

Let me thank both of you again for not just your testimony, but your commitment to this issue.

It will be. And all of your statements will be included in the record.

It would be I think an encouraging sign if we could get additional commitments for restoration at this stage.

You cannot force them. Your example is certainly a very visible sign of progress.

We will take a look at those, see how many of those went to women businesses.

My understanding, particularly in the agricultural sector in Haiti, is as you go up the chain it is hard to find women.

And we will follow up on that to make sure that is being acted on.

We are catering to the same small group of people and not addressing the needs of the masses.

But my question is the aid that has been made available to date--are we moving in the right direction or are we just institutionalizing the problems that were in Haiti prior to the earthquake?

Everything that has been said is true, especially my two colleagues here on my left.

We have not done anything toward capacity-building.

We recognize the need of the diaspora to be an actor, but no one wants to make whatever the condition for that to happen.

I am confident that if these strategies, along with the assistance and the attention of the international community are coordinated and wielded properly, the Government of Haiti could foster a more resilient society and prosperous country.

Women's rights are human rights, and when we have a chance to make some significant changes in a country, gender issues need to be on the front burner.

I plan to contact our people that are working in Haiti to do everything we can to impress upon the authorities in Haiti to protect the people that are in camps who are vulnerable, particularly women and girls.

I will say, however, for the record that I am a little disappointed that the administration... ended up canceling out on us.

I want to start off with a general question as to how effective the international aid has been to date.

I am particularly encouraged by the private sector's interest in Haiti because only with active private sector involvement can we have a sustainable development in that country.