PRINTER'S NO. 1431
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
140
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, BELLMON, CURRY, HILL-EVANS, RABB, SOLOMON,
PARKER, KAZEEM, HOHENSTEIN, MADDEN, SANCHEZ, GUENST, BRENNAN,
KINSEY, NEILSON, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, PROBST AND HOWARD,
JUNE 5, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 5, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Urging the President and Congress of the United States to direct
additional humanitarian aid to Haiti.
WHEREAS, Haiti, a Caribbean nation of 12 million people,
became the world's first independent, Black-led republic and the
first independent Caribbean state when the organized revolt of
formerly enslaved Haitians and others conquered the French and
abolished slavery in the early 1800s; and
WHEREAS, Haiti was originally a French colony known as Saint-
Domingue until in 1791 where, inspired by the French Revolution
and American Revolution, enslaved Haitians staged the world's
largest and most successful slave revolt, eventually declaring
independence from France; and
WHEREAS, Haiti's unique culture and traditions have made
important impacts on the world through its innovative
literature, art, music and dance as well as its distinctive
cuisine, architecture, festivities and history; and
WHEREAS, Many renowned Haitians and individuals of Haitian
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descent have accomplished impressive personal achievements such
as the Harvard President Claudine Gay, acclaimed rapper and
philanthropist Wyclef Jean, prolific artist Jean-Michel
Basquiat, four-time Grand Slam singles tennis champion Naomi
Osaka, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre,
sociologist, civil rights activist and author W.E.B. Du Bois,
writer, musician and intellectual Frankétienne, author Dany
Laferriere, former Philadelphia 76er Samuel Dalembert, former
Philadelphia Eagle Max Jean-Gilles and former Pittsburgh Penguin
Georges Laraque; and
WHEREAS, Haiti is undergoing a severe humanitarian crisis due
to political instability, food insecurity, widespread violence
and illness; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Haiti has no democratically elected
officials as the country's two parliamentary bodies have not
filled any seats since its 10 remaining senators left office;
and
WHEREAS, Haiti's de facto leader, Prime Minister Ariel Henry,
was never officially sworn in, and the country has not had a
President since its last, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in
2021; and
WHEREAS, Haiti is facing rampant gang violence, which has
displaced more than 150,000 people and forced organizations,
such as Doctors Without Borders, to close facilities and
relocate staff; and
WHEREAS, Haiti's underfunded police officers are unable to
combat this violence, and nearly two dozen officers have been
killed in 2023; and
WHEREAS, A cholera outbreak is estimated to have infected
25,000 Haitians since late 2022, and the nation's struggling
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health care system is unable to serve most people; and
WHEREAS, Inflation has sent the price of food and gas in
Haiti spiraling; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 40% of Haiti's population is facing
food insecurity; and
WHEREAS, Natural disasters, such as hurricanes and
earthquakes, have historically devastated the nation, and the
most recent natural disasters have kept thousands of schools in
Haiti closed; and
WHEREAS, Population data indicates that Philadelphia is among
the top locations for Haitian immigrants in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Foreign policy decisions by France, the United
States and other nations towards Haiti, including crippling
trade and military policies, have often been detrimental to the
health, safety, democracy and overall prosperity of the nation
since Haiti's founding in 1804; and
WHEREAS, An influx of firearms has been illegally trafficked
over the past few years from Florida to Haiti, which has
worsened the gang violence occurring in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The United States policy toward Haiti under the
Biden administration is intended to foster foundational
institutions and infrastructure necessary for democracy and
poverty reduction through sustainable development; and
WHEREAS, Both the United States and Haiti benefit when this
close neighbor is more prosperous, secure and rooted in
democracy, which are the mutual goals of both nations; and
WHEREAS, With the dire situation in Haiti worsening on
several fronts, the help of the United States has never been
more critical; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the President and Congress of
the United States to direct additional humanitarian aid to Haiti
and, with Haitians, the Haitian diaspora and national and
international stakeholders and partners, lead a diplomatic
solution to the crisis; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States and to each member of
Congress from Pennsylvania.
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