Haiti

Today, five Members of Congress who have served as leading advocates for development assistance, disaster recovery, and human rights in Haiti—United States Representatives Maxine Waters, Yvette Clarke, John Conyers, Barbara Lee, and Frederica S. Wilson—released the following statement on the fourth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake:

"On the fourth anniversary of the worst natural disaster in recent memory—the Haiti Earthquake of 2010—we pause to honor those affected and salute the strength and resilience of the Haitian people.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, reiterated her support for free, fair, and timely elections in Haiti during a hearing yesterday, in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, entitled "Haiti: Is U.S. Aid Effective?" She addressed her comments to Thomas C. Adams, Haiti Special Coordinator for the U.S. State Department, who was testifying at the hearing.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry today, expressing deep concern about the current political situation in Haiti and requesting that the State Department assist the Haitian government with the holding of elections consistent with the Haitian Constitution. Copies of the letter were sent to Cheryl D. Mills, the State Department's Haiti Envoy, and Thomas C. Adams, Haiti Special Coordinator.

The text of the letter follows:

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, sent a letter today to the Honorable Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, expressing concerns about the lack of progress in responding effectively to the Haitian cholera epidemic. The letter urges the Secretary General to use his office and his influence to ensure that the United Nations takes responsibility for the introduction of cholera into Haiti and commits an appropriate level of resources to support cholera response efforts.

Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a long-time advocate for development assistance and democracy for Haiti, called for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Haiti and urged support for the development of effective political institutions and stable, just and democratic governance.

Washington – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-California), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, will host a briefing tomorrow entitled, "Who Runs Haiti? A Discussion of Governance, Political Power, and Democracy in Haiti, Two Years After the Earthquake." The event will be cosponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) and feature several prominent speakers from both Haiti and the United States.

WHO:

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, issued the following statement today to mark the second anniversary of the deadly 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti: