Washington, D.C.- “Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, has been overwhelmed by malnutrition, famine, poverty and violence,” said Chairwoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick. “Haiti is our neighbor and deserves prompt food aid, debt relief and Temporary Protective Status (TPS). We have sent a letter to President Bush and spoken with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. This week the House and the Senate passed the Farm Bill which includes a vital provision designed to strengthen existing trade preferences to help fight poverty and famine in Haiti and other Caribbean nations. Today, we witnessed the devastation and the dire need for help. The Congressional Black Caucus will renew our fight to help stabilize Haiti and promote immediate humanitarian aid. ”

As the former Co-Chair of the CBC Haiti taskforce and a long time advocate for the Haitian people, I am pleased to co-lead this Congressional delegation along with the Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Kilpatrick.  I fear that Haiti has become the poster child for the global food crisis. Today, our goal was to gain a first-hand look at its impact on the Haitian people so we can return to Congress armed with the information we need to help address it.  We simply cannot overlook the glaring needs of the Haitian people - people we have such close historical ties with."

“The worldwide food crisis, which has deeply affected our own constituents at home, has created emergency conditions in Haiti,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC). “This trip is necessary and important to help us understand how the U.S. can be immediately helpful as fragile Haiti struggles to feed its people and remain stable.”

“A perfect storm of environmental and political problems have had a disastrous impact on the people of Haiti.  Rice, one of the staples of the Haitian diet, has become too expensive for the average consumer, and the country is experiencing a severe food shortage crisis,” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) said.  “This trip enabled us to understand the crisis first-hand and the ways in which we, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, in our role as the Conscience of Congress, can help provide immediate assistance to our neighbors in Haiti.”

“I stand united with Haiti in this time of crisis.  I was honored to meet with President Rene Prevail and other dignitaries on this important trip to come up with a systemic solution to this urgent problem,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX). “While the  US has already committed nearly $200 million in emergency aid to developing countries who are suffering from the rising food costs, now is the time for our nation and the international community to efficiently and effectively address this issue. Haiti is a strong ally and we must continue to provide the support they need.”

“The food shortage has reached a critical stage in Haiti - the United States and international community must intervene before it is too late,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY). “If we do not step in, the unrest and loss of life will continue. Not only do we need to send aide, but we must urgently get aide to the hungry who live on less than $2.00 a day.”

“We must act quickly to help alleviate the crisis that is impacting the lives of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It is a disgrace that we allow our southern neighbors to descend into social anarchy due to lack of food and access to the bare essentials necessary for human survival,” said Congresswoman Diane Watson (CA).

“In Haiti, a country where 75 percent of the population lives on less than 2 dollars per day, the cost of staple foods has risen approximately 50 percent since last year and the price of rice alone has increased by 30 percent,” Congressman Al Green (TX) stated.  “The resulting humanitarian crisis and civil unrest in Haiti should sadden all people of good will around the world and move us to take action.  It is my sincere hope that this CBC Delegation visit will help to bring attention to this grave situation and work as a catalyst for alleviating the suffering of the Haitian people.

“I am happy that we visited Haiti to see firsthand the effects of the food crisis on the Haitian people,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.  “Haiti is one of the countries hardest-hit by the food crisis, which is not only a grave humanitarian crisis – it also threatens international security and the political stability of developing nations. I hope that we will come away from this trip with a thorough understanding of the issue and can begin formulating the appropriate next steps that this Congress needs to take to address this issue.”

"Haiti and her people are in desperate need of food and basic necessities," said Congressman Hank Johnson (GA).  "The Congressional Black Caucus has been instrumental in the push to help relieve some of their suffering and I want to see, first-hand, that the humanitarian aid the United States has provided is getting to those who need it."

“Food prices in America are the highest they’ve been in seventeen years.  Eggs cost 25% more in February than they did a year ago, and milk and other dairy products jumped 13%, chicken and other poultry nearly 7%, according to USDA,” remarked Congressman Keith Ellison (MN). “Now imagine a country like Haiti where the issue isn’t how much food costs, but the fact that it doesn’t even exist.  We will make ends meet and change is in the air.  But for our Haitian brothers and sisters it is a matter of life and death – we must act today.”