[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 155 (Thursday, October 30, 2003)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E2173-E2174] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCTION OF NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR HAITI ACT OF 2003 ______ HON. BARBARA LEE of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, October 29, 2003 Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing H.R. 3386, The New Partnership for Haiti Act of 2003, which will help Haitians overcome the many social, economic, and physical challenges currently facing the country. Today in Haiti only 45% of Haitians have access to safe water and 28% have access to sanitation. Seventy-six percent of Haiti's children under the age of five are underweight, or suffer from stunted growth and 63% of Haitians are undernourished. Eighty percent of the population lives in abject poverty and the unemployment rate is estimated to be around 60%. My longstanding interest in ending the AIDS pandemic has brought focus on Haiti, with 90% of all HIV/AIDS cases in the Caribbean. As we combat global HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, maternal and child mortality, and many other life threatening diseases, we must address the long-term effect of dilapidated physical and health infrastructure and abject poverty throughout the world, including in Haiti. My bill, the New Partnership for Haiti Act of 2003 offers a comprehensive plan for future engagement between the U.S. and Haitian Government. This legislation partners Haitians and Americans together to execute an environmentally sound approach to rebuilding Haiti. Its major provisions are aimed at developing basic sanitation, water, and other health infrastructures in Haiti. The New Partnership for Haiti Act would bring the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to train and educate Haitians on how to rebuild, pave, and maintain roads to provide access to rural and urban areas and to health clinics. It will commission environmental impact studies for these projects, focusing on long term, environmentally sound solutions--not short term remedies. Haiti needs assistance in addressing its long-term health infrastructure development. The most basic of these needed development challenges is water. How can Haiti begin to combat its enormous health problems without basic clean and safe water? Haiti's water quality is life-threatening. In a study released in May of 2003, Haiti ranked last in the world for water quality. The New Partnership for Haiti Act will provide funds and expertise through USAID to partner with Haiti on rebuilding of sanitation, water purification projects, and education for Haitians on how to maintain these systems themselves in the future. This bill will help Haitians build and maintain safer, quality sewage systems and safe water delivery for both urban and rural communities. The New Partnership for Haiti Act will start a pilot program for American Health Professionals and also Engineers who are interested in going to Haiti and helping with the development process. It is my hope that a transfer of knowledge from U.S. professionals in the fields of health and engineering to Haitians will ensure long term development and guarantee the success [[Page E2174]] of the programs similar to the success of the Global Fund and other international initiatives. By widening the knowledge base of non- governmental organizations and professionals in Haiti, the U.S. will take advantage of a unique opportunity and obligation towards Haiti's future. We worked together to get the humanitarian loans, which had been held up by the InterAmerican Development Bank officially released on May 9, 2003. It is my hope that we can continue to push for the full release of these loans and the potential for future humanitarian grants through the IDB. I also believe we must move forward on establishing a health infrastructure for efficient delivery of these health and social sector funds. Today I submit this legislation, and thank all of my original cosponsors: Reps. Donna Christensen, Elijah Cummings, Bennie Thompson, Al Wynn, Donald Payne, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Robert Wexler, John Conyers, Corrine Brown, and Major Owens. I look forward to the support of my colleagues and the Administration. ____________________