Political Quotes

“To my Haitian constituents, those of Haitian descent in Houston, Texas, and those around the Nation, I want you to know that we have not forgotten you. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of the victims of the Haitian earthquake that took so many hundreds of thousands of Haitian citizens in a terrible, massive disaster. Nearly 4 years after Haiti's devastating earthquake, there is still too little transparency and accountability, with too much work to do and too many Haitians suffering. As Haitian Americans are caught up in our broken immigration system, it is important for them to know that we have not forgotten their loved ones. There are close to 300,000 people still living in tent camps, many of whom are facing forced evictions. Although there was a great deal of sympathy and help, now is the time to be able to look to those who are still suffering. Cholera has killed over 8,400 Haitians and sickened over 689,000; hundreds of thousands of Haitians have little or no access to potable water or basic health services; Haiti is facing an impending food crisis; and the children are suffering, according to local and international organizations. That is why I have supported H.R. 3509, the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act of 2013. This legislation will give Congress information. According to the GAO, Congress lacks information on the amount of funds that have been obligated and disbursed. But Congress must do something.…”