On the recordJanuary 20, 2010
Let me, once again, express our deep appreciation for the outcry of Members of this legislative body on both sides of the aisle. We have heard of the great work done by many of the countries mentioned. We have heard about the heroism and the heroic efforts of many of the people. We have seen isolated shots of some violence and disorder, but let me say that this is just a very small sliver of what is happening in Haiti. Most of the people are waiting patiently. Most of the people are orderly. It is amazing, the resilience of the Haitian people from these overwhelming obstacles, that 99 percent of the people are just trying to make it through. So we need to engage with the government. We need to assist them as they start to recover politically and governmentally. In addition to restoring the city, we need to take a look at perhaps a new city outside of Port-au-Prince, a city built for 50,000 people that has 2 million people. Can you imagine that? So this may be a way that we can have a planned approach. We have great colleges. Columbia University has the Earth Institute, and we would hope to try to encourage those groups to come in. With that, let me commend our chairperson once again.
