May 29, 2010

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Introduces Bill to Promote Haitian Private Sector Development

(WASHINGTON, DC)–On May 25, 2010, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) introduced the “Haiti Private Sector Development Act” (H.R. 5394).  The Act provides for the establishment of an American Enterprise Fund for Haiti, which focuses on promoting investment and business opportunities in Haiti’s private sector and encourages a culture of entrepreneurship.  The Fund also allocates seed capital for a program enabling Americans, particularly Haitian-Americans, to fill capacity gaps and provide technical assistance to Haitian private sector regulators and government ministries.  The Act also provides for effective oversight reporting of U.S. Government earthquake recovery and redevelopment activities in Haiti.  This oversight ensures mission coherence, waste mitigation and impact maximization of these activities.

Congressman Meeks recognizes the importance of sustained support for Haiti’s recovery and redevelopment activities.  Mr. Meeks recently traveled to Haiti to better understand how the activities of his Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade can best develop impactful U.S. Government programs to help the Haitian people.  This Act represents one output of the Subcommittee’s diligent efforts.

“I believe that the ‘Haiti Private Sector Development Act’ empowers Haitians to redevelop and strengthen their country’s important private sector and complements well other U.S. Government initiatives in Haiti,” stated Congressman Meeks.  “I am proud to work with the Haitian people in their courageous efforts to rebuild their beautiful country.”

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee.  He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Coalition and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).  He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus, OAS Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.

###