Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke recognized the one year anniversary of the Haitian Earthquake that took place on January 12, 2010:

“One year ago, Haiti was hit by one of worst natural disasters in nearly a century.  As we reflect on this historic day, I call on all of us in the United States and around the world, to stand in solidarity with this great nation and renew our commitment to see its full recover.  There is no question that there is much more work to be done as it relates to rubble removal, access to clean water and stabilizing the region,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.  “It is important that there is a continued focus on economic development, infrastructure rehabilitation and a concerted effort to stop the rise of gender base violence.”

January 18th is the deadline to register for Temporary Protective Status (TPS).  Understanding the importance of TPS for the Haitian Diaspora, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with the support of House Foreign Affairs Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, have sent a bicarmel, bipartisan letter to President Barack Obama asking that the United States extend the expiration date of TPS from July 22, 2011to July 22, 2012.  Seven Senators and 37 Members of Congress signed on to the letter. 

“As the Representative of the second largest population of Haitian immigrants in the United States, I understand the importance of TPS to the Haitian Diaspora.  Remittances sent back by those with TPS are integral to the families on the ground, the nation’s extremely fragile economy and will continue to alleviate burdens on American financial assistance.  It is extremely important to ensure that the Haitian people have all the resources they need to recover from the earthquake,” added Rep. Clarke. 

Rep. Clarke has centered much of her legislative agenda on the recovery efforts for Haiti.  Some of her initiatives and legislation included: 

• Introducing the H.R. 4616, Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2010 (the HELP Act) which would allow an estimated 55,000 Haitians who obtained approved immigration petitions to join their relatives in the United States;
• Introducing H.R. 4961, The Haitian Private Sector Encouragement Act of 2010, which establishes the Haitian-American Enterprise Development Fund; 
• Joining  United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to host a procurement briefing on how Brooklyn businesses to obtain a government contract; and
• Cosponsoring H.R. 5283, the Help Haiti Act of 2010, which normalizes the immigration procedures for certain adopted Haitian orphans that received humanitarian parole between January 18, 2010 and April 15, 2010.

“It is also important that we stand with the people of Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora as they unite to implement a long-term recovery strategy in Haiti.  We must bolster our efforts to help members of the Haitian Diaspora in the United States and around the world so that they can bring about positive change in Haiti.  It is an honor to represent the 11th Congressional District of New York which contains the second largest Haitian immigrant population in the United States.  As a daughter of the Caribbean, know that I will continue to fight for the continued recovery efforts for Haiti,” concluded Rep. Clarke. 

Attached is the letter Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke sent to President Obama requesting the extension of Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals.