Rockland Reporter

On June 6, 2023, in response to the seeming collapse of public safety, the rule of law, and democratic government in Haiti, Reps. Mike Lawler, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, María Elvira Salazar, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove introduced a resolution calling for the redoubling of diplomatic efforts by the United States and its international partners to help achieve a negotiated, Haitian-led solution to the current impasse. This would improve citizen security from Haitian gangs, crack down on illicit financial flows, and pave the way for free and fair elections.

“The situation in Haiti is of critical importance to many of my constituents in the Hudson Valley,” said Rep. Lawler (R-NY). “As the elected representative of one of the largest Haitian Diasporas in the world, I share their concerns about the ongoing public safety and political crises in Haiti.”

“It is incumbent on the United States to leverage our position diplomatically and financially to improve long-term stability in Haiti,” concluded Rep. Lawler (R-NY). “With over one million people of Haitian descent living in the United States, it is well within our national interest to help here and ensure a return to normalcy, safety, and democratic governance in Haiti.”

“As a Haitian American, it is deeply upsetting to watch Haiti confront a series of humanitarian, political, and economic crises that grow worse each day,” said Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL). “This resolution underscores that the United States has a responsibility, as both a neighbor and ally of Haiti, to address this instability before it grows further out of control. The violence and painful suffering faced by Haiti cannot continue any longer. I commend the civil society groups and numerous organizations across the Haitian Diaspora who remain steadfastly committed to restoring stability overseas.”

“The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has reached a tipping point of biblical proportions,” said Rep. Salazar (R-FL). “We must get the criminal gangs under control and return a feeling of safety and security to the country so Haitians can work toward building a brighter future.”

“As Haiti’s security, humanitarian, and political crisis stretches into its third year, I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan resolution to urge renewed diplomatic efforts by the United States and the international community to help achieve a Haitian-led solution to restore Haiti’s political institutions and address Haitians’ basic needs," said Rep. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA). "The Haitian people continue to suffer from relentless man-made and natural disasters, but the international community must not let these perpetual challenges become the status quo."

"We cannot turn a blind eye to the catastrophe unfolding only miles from our shore. Our response to Haiti’s nightmare should not be to write it off as hopeless or insurmountable, it should be to act," concluded Rep. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA). "This resolution encourages the United States and our partners to stand in solidarity with the resilience and grit of the Haitian people and deepen our efforts to support Haitians in charting a viable path forward for their country.”

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. 

Original source can be found here.