On the recordApril 9, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I rise on this day to help shed light on an escalating crisis 700 miles from the shores of Florida. That crisis is in the island nation of Haiti. I thank my colleagues for anchoring this evening's Special Order hour as part of our mission in the Congressional Black Caucus: Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Congressman Jonathan Jackson, your leadership is tremendous, and, of course, my colleague, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the Haitian people are experiencing some of the most horrific times in modern-day civil society. Their democracy has been suspended and there is no viable governance. Anarchy is poised to take root, and there is no protection for the people. This is a humanitarian crisis that has reached unprecedented levels with widespread food insecurity, hunger, and undeterred gang violence, filling the void and terrorizing the nation. {time} 2030 According to the U.N., 4 million people in Haiti face acute food insecurity and 1 million are one step away from famine. Imagine the population of Los Angeles, subject to severe food insecurity and violence that has led to a spike in starvation, with goods unable to move freely while people are forced to remain in their homes out of fear for their lives. Haiti is a mere 700 miles from our shores, yet in many ways, Haiti has been forgotten. It is urgent, crucial, that we pay attention.…





