RANGEL JOINS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO HAITI

February 12, 2010

Congressman Charles B. Rangel joined Congressional leaders in a delegation trip to Haiti today, bringing assurances of compassion and commitment to the Haitian people and their rebuilding efforts. The trip coincided with the newly designated National Day of Mourning, honoring grieving Haitian families on the 30th day since the devastating earthquake struck the island nation.

"We want to unequivocally and personally pledge to Haiti our deepest condolences and strongest commitment to standing by them in this time of need," Rangel said. "We are here to pay our respects to the fallen and show the Haitian people and the world that our resolve will not fade. We will not forsake or forget the plight of struggling Haitian families - not today, not in a few weeks or a few months. Not until the job is done."

The delegation will assess the U.S. government's response to the disaster, on the ground, and meet with Haitian government officials, including President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.

Reports say that as many as 45 percent of the American people have donated to the relief effort in Haiti since the earthquake. Chairman Rangel authored, introduced, and helped unanimously pass a bill that allows millions of these American families to claim charitable tax deductions on last year's tax returns instead of having to wait until next year to claim them.

"When our struggling neighbors cry out, America heeds their calls. Already nearly 1 in every 2 Americans has demonstrated an outpouring of generosity that speaks to our compassion as a people and as a nation. I am proud that Congress saw it fit to encourage these efforts," Rangel said.

Congressman Rangel joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Senators Tom Harkin, Bill Nelson, Frank Lautenberg, Amy Klobuchar, and George LeMiuex, Chairmen John Conyers and James Oberstar; and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer.