Led by Reps. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Bipartisan South Florida Congressional Delegation Return from Travel to Haiti

MIAMI, FL – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) along with Rep. Mario-Diaz-Balart (R-FL) led a bipartisan South Florida Congressional Delegation to Port-au-Prince, Haiti with Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) on Monday. This trip to Haiti is unprecedented because all five of the South Florida delegation attended the Congressional Delegation (CODEL) together for the first time.

"This CODEL offered me and my congressional colleagues an opportunity to assess the redevelopments that are currently taking place in Haiti. Our discussions about hurricane preparation, immigration policy, drug interdiction, security issues, and the development of HOPE II with Haitian President René Préval and Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis will assist in the stabilization of Haiti. Haiti continues to look to the United States for leadership and we as congressional leaders will be working closely with President Obama to ensure that Haiti can continue to rebuild," said Rep. Meek.

During the CODEL travel to Haiti, the key group of legislators that lead Congress as it relates to issues regarding U.S. policy toward Haiti met with Haitian President René Préval, Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis, other key leaders in the Haitian Administration, various non-governmental organizations, and with Haitian business leaders. The Congressional Delegation discussed Haitian economic and national security issues with the Haitian government. More specifically, the Delegation investigated how the U.S. Congress can better help the Haitian Government prepare for hurricane season, fight drug and human trafficking, and promote greater business investment in Haiti to take advantage of the Hope II legislation. The Delegation was also briefed on the progress of our nation's relationship with Haiti and to examine the state of the art consular services.

"It is not only our country's moral obligation to help Haiti, but it is also in our own self-interest to ensure the long-term development of our Hemisphere's poorest country. My congressional colleagues and I will take back Haiti's message of hope and need to our fellow colleagues and to President Obama himself," added Meek. "Our federal government must do more to help our neighbors."

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17^th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Florida Democrat sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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