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“VOICING SYMPATHY FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF HAITIAN FERRY ACCIDENT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H7106-H7107 on Sept. 9, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
VOICING SYMPATHY FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF HAITIAN FERRY ACCIDENT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Florida [Ms. Brown] is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my deepest sympathy for the families of the hundreds of persons who drowned before dawn on Monday of this week when a packed Haitian ferry--transporting hundreds more passengers than it was built for--tipped over. These people, who were merely going to work, died tragic and unnecessary deaths. This horrifying event is the second such event in Haiti in recent times.
In 1993 over 1,000 persons drowned in another crowded ferry off Haiti's coast. We should be outraged that such tragedy happens so close to home. But because Haiti is a nation of black people living in crippling poverty, and not an oil-rich country, the United States turns a blind eye. As a member of the Transportation Committee, let me say this: The reason for such tragedy in Haiti is simple--there is no decent or safe transportation infrastructure in Haiti due to lack of funding and necessary expertise. America has failed Haiti and there is shared responsibility for the failure. The President, along with the leadership in our State Department, should have carved out a realistic financial program to give Haiti the tools to build a sustainable democracy. What is needed is a unique program--designed to fit Haiti's particular needs and requirements. In foreign policy, we need to get away from the cookie cutter mentality that expects all foreign countries to be the same. When we look at the nations of the world, we can see that they have different histories, cultures, and assets. Haiti is the eyesore that will not go away; and the United States cannot continue to turn its back. To do so is foolish because no wall is high enough to keep tragedy from spreading onto our own shores when we refuse to help a neighbor.
As the world grows smaller, the Caribbean region comes closer. Today we stand facing one another; it is increasingly difficult to turn away--even if we do not wish to see the appalling poverty, lack of education, and other serious difficulties.
Haiti's crucial needs include: One, land reform that will make the most of land in fertile areas; two, transportation assistance for a modern, safe transportation infrastructure; and three, administrative reform that includes considerable assistance from the World Bank and other international lending institutions. Only as we face the reality of Haiti's dire needs will we, as a nation, develop a deep, lasting, and beneficial partnership with Haiti. I also implore the media to grant fair coverage to the tragedies in this country. It is time to quit making news, and instead begin covering the news. My prayers right now are with the families of those who have died, and I urge the leaders of this great Nation to reach out to our neighbors whose catastrophes go unnoticed day after day.
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