Recognizing the bravery and efforts of the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other members of Operation Unified Response for their swift and coordinated action in light of the devastation wrought upon the nation of Haiti after a horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-Au-Prince and surrounding cities on January 12, 2010.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1083 and ask for its immediate consideration.

For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1083.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1083 provides for consideration of H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009, under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate in the House, controlled by the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute by Representative Abercrombie, which is debatable for 30 minutes. The rule also makes in order two second-degree amendments to the substitute. The amendments are to be offered by Representative Hastings of Washington and by Representative Flake of Arizona. The amendments are each debatable for 10 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Rahall and the hardworking staff of the Natural Resources Committee for their dedication to the health and welfare of the many native peoples of this country and particularly for their work on this important legislation.

I also want to thank my colleagues from Hawaii, Congressman Abercrombie and Congresswoman Hirono, for bringing this legislation forward in the House, as well as the bill's original author, Senator Akaka, for his tireless work on behalf of the people of Hawaii in the Senate.

Our diversity is not only what makes us great but also what makes us American. My home State of Colorado is a beautiful land with awe- inspiring mountains and rugged landscapes, but the people are who make it truly beautiful. Colorado's rich history and diverse culture is interwoven with the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Shoshone, and Ute peoples, who helped found our State and who continue to play such an important role in our vibrant diversity today.

While Hawaiians celebrate the sun and while Coloradans treasure the snow, the same connection between land and people can be found in the unique beauty of Hawaii.

As we have seen in Colorado, with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute and across the country, the U.S. has a longstanding policy of providing its indigenous people--those who exercised sovereignty until the United States expanded its borders into their homeland--with an opportunity to organize, to protect and to perpetuate their cultures and traditions and to look out for their interests. It is only right that all indigenous people should have a right to determine how they should interact with our government. This bill merely brings about parity in the U.S. treatment of its indigenous people--American Indians, Alaska natives and Native Hawaiians.

H.R. 2314 would establish a Native Hawaiian interim governing council to develop elements of the organic governing documents and other criteria for the Native Hawaiian governing entity. These documents would detail the powers and authorities of the governing entity, but they would also include membership criteria as well as requirements for the election of government officials.

The Secretary of the Interior would be required to certify that the organic documents meet specified criteria and are consistent with applicable Federal law and our Constitution. After this certification, the government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiians should be reaffirmed.

It is also worth mentioning that these were the conditions set forward by the United States and that Hawaii agreed to in Statehood. These conditions of Statehood were set forth in the Admissions Act, signed August 21, 1959, which posed that the State of Hawaii would assume administration of the congressionally established Hawaiian Homes Commission Act trust, as well as ensure that former Hawaiian Government public lands held in trust would be utilized for one of five purposes, including the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians.

Like American Indians, Native Hawaiians have no other homeland to keep their culture alive. Like American Indians, disenfranchisement has left Native Hawaiians at the bottom of national health, education and economic rankings. Through all of this, however, Native Hawaiians continue to maintain their cultural identity and dignity as a distinct native community.

This bill would reaffirm the Federal delegation of authority to the State of Hawaii, found in the State's Admissions Act, and would provide Native Hawaiians with the tools and status needed to preserve their vibrant culture and unique heritage for future generations.

Last year, Madam Speaker, Hawaii celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Statehood. It is long past time that Congress grants the same opportunity for self-determination to Native Hawaiians.

In 2000, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation offered the first Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Since then, Congress has held six joint hearings of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and of the House Natural Resources Committee, five of which were in Hawaii, with a total of 12 congressional hearings within the last 9 years on the issue. The House has passed this legislation twice, in the 106th and 110th Congresses.

While the bill has evolved over the years and has received input from many stakeholders, it has maintained true to its intent to extend the Federal policy of self-governance and self-determination to Native Hawaiians for the purposes of a federally recognized government-to- government relationship. This has received broad support from organizations and people across the ideological spectrum and the State of Hawaii.

As a Representative of Native Americans who live in Colorado's Second Congressional District, I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in passing this rule to honor and respect, not just this generation, but future generations of Native Hawaiians and to promote the diversity of cultures everywhere that make our country so great. I ask you to end half a century of neglect and to provide the Native Hawaiians with the same representation provided to other native peoples across the country.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I would like to establish that there were exactly two amendments proposed to this piece of legislation, both by members of the Republican Party, and both will be allowed for floor consideration under this rule.

With that, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

Madam Speaker, for more than 200 years, Congress, the executive branch, and the Supreme Court have recognized certain legal rights and protections for America's indigenous people. It's the moral and legal responsibility of Congress to reaffirm a political relationship with the native peoples of Hawaii, and H.R. 2314 will achieve this purpose.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to pass this very fair rule that includes both Republican amendments that were filed and to allow for the further consideration of this bill on the floor of the House of Representatives.

I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1066--to honor the extreme bravery, responsiveness and effectiveness demonstrated by our United States Armed Services, local first responders and other members in support of Operation Unified Response led by USAID.

As you know, on Tuesday, January 12, a massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince. There is still no official estimate of death or destruction but the damage to buildings is extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.

Within hours of the earthquake, the United States sent world-class teams of first responders and search and rescue teams to help search for survivors. These teams, from all across the country, comprised roughly one-third of the entire international search and rescue effort in Haiti. In total, the United States sent over 511 rescue workers. These rescue workers worked tirelessly to search for survivors, and found and rescued more than 130 people from under the rubble. Without these search and rescue units, it is possible that these people would not have been located in time to save their lives.

In the following days, U.S. Southern Command deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of one of the largest natural disasters in the western hemisphere. The team included U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. military engineers, operational planners, and a command and control group and communication specialists arriving on two C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Shortly thereafter, U.S. Southern Command had established Joint Task Force-Haiti to oversee U.S. military relief efforts in which was commanded by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ken Keen. From the initial response forward more than 13,000 U.S. military personnel, 19 ships and more than 60 aircraft are supporting operations to provide relief and care to more than three million Haitians who were affected by the January 12 earthquake.

U.S. military forces are currently supporting efforts to provide shelter, establish settlements, and conduct debris removal as well as ensuring the delivery of aid to the Haitian people. They are also assisting the World Food

Program's food distribution surge while continuing to work with the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, the international community and local responders to alleviate human suffering and support humanitarian relief efforts.

The hospital ship USNS Comfort, embarked with nearly 1,000 medical personnel, is treating a steady stream of Haitian patients. Comfort's hospital capabilities include fully-equipped operating rooms, digital radiological services, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, an optometry lab, a CAT-scan and two oxygen-producing plants. Comfort's bed capacity is about 1,000.

Members supporting Operation Unified Response are also helping move thousands of pounds of medical aid to various distribution points and are working with local officials to address long-term rehabilitation of the Haitian public health system.

As of February 21 the incredible members of Operation Unified Response had delivered more than 2.6 million bottles of water, 2.2 million food rations, 17 million pounds of bulk food and 147,000 pounds of medical supplies into Haiti. Additionally, water production continues as U.S. military and international water purification units produce thousands of gallons of drinkable water daily.

I would like to personally thank the professional team of Sailor, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen of U.S. Southern Command for their role in providing guidance and securing passage for a Texas- based initial response medical team. These military professionals played a key role in arranging for the doctors and medical personnel from the Forest Park Medical Center to obtain the necessary clearance from the State and Defense Departments to fly jets carrying supplies, seven doctors, six nurses, two techs, and two search and rescue volunteers to Haiti.

The medical team, led by Dr. Richard Toussaint, flew from Dallas Love Field Airport and arrived in Haiti where they treated about 600 patients, including 70 amputations, and 150 surgeries. The team also provided medical and supplies to Haiti's Hospital Sacre Coeur.

America is committed to deliver her support to our neighbor who is still in dire need of our continued and immediate humanitarian assistance. This effort will be a monumental task that will take years to complete but we must be resolute to help the people of this struggling island nation rebuild their livelihoods.

To date the United States Government has contributed over $400 million in earthquake response funding for Haiti. It has also deployed approximately 19,000 military personnel in support of the relief effort. Subsequently, as part of the new Government of Haiti-lead effort, the U.N. World Food Program will provide commodities, non- governmental organizations will manage distributions, and U.S. military will provide security escorts.

America and her allies have delivered a comprehensive, interagency response to the earthquake. The State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, USAID--all worked vigorously to ensure critical resources were positioned to support the response and recovery effort, including efforts to find and assist American citizens in Haiti.

Once again I am proud of our Armed Services, the first responders and all the members of Operation Unified Relief that deliver an overwhelming successful initial response. We all owe you a debt of gratitude and our undying support.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1066) recognizing the bravery and efforts of the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other members of Operation Unified Response for their swift and coordinated action in light of the devastation wrought upon the nation of Haiti after a horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince and surrounding cities on January 12, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1066, recognizing the bravery and efforts of the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and all of those involved in Operation Unified Response. I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this important measure before the House.

On January 12, a massive earthquake struck the nation of Haiti that was followed by a series of very powerful aftershocks that left catastrophic damage in and around the city of Port-au-Prince. The devastation resulted in an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 deaths, including over a hundred Americans reported dead and 3 million Haitians directly affected by the earthquake.

Within 2 weeks, the United States had deployed 25 Navy and Coast Guard ships, 79 helicopters, 290 vehicles, and 21,493 Armed Forces personnel. Medical military assets had treated over 4,000 patients, of which 2,000 were treated aboard the hospital ship USS Comfort. The United States had distributed 1.9 million bottles of water, 1.7 million meals, and over 74,000 pounds of medical supplies.

The United States acted immediately, setting up a whole-of-government response with the U.S. Agency for International Development in the lead and the Armed Forces playing a leading role. Within 24 hours, the U.S. had deployed Air Force special operations forces to secure the Port-au- Prince airport and reestablish airport operations, deployed the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, and started preparing both Army and Marine units for immediate deployment to that region.

This critical contribution to the Haiti relief effort comes at a time when the men and women of our military are already being stretched by two wars. Our troops have once again demonstrated their capability to respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.

U.S. military servicemembers and their families make tremendous sacrifices both for our Nation and in working to help people in times of need all over the world.

On behalf of Congress, I want to thank our heroes in uniform and all of those involved in Operation Unified Response for the extraordinary contributions to the Haitian people. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend, my colleague, and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek).

Madam Speaker, before I yield to my friend, the gentlelady from California, let me acknowledge the cooperation of my friend and my colleague, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Berman, for expediting consideration of this resolution. I extend these thanks to the committee's ranking member as well, the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

House of Representatives,

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, February 4, 2010.

Hon. Ike Skelton,

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office

Bldg., Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning House

Resolution 1066, ``Recognizing the bravery and efforts of the

United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other

members of Operation Unified Response for their swift and

coordinated action in light of the devastation wrought upon

the nation of Haiti after a horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake

struck Port-Au-Prince and surrounding cities on January 12,

2010.'' As you know, this measure was referred to the

Committee on Armed Services and, in addition, to the

Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be subsequently

determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of

such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

committee concerned.

This resolution contains provisions within the Rule X

jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the

interest of permitting your Committee to proceed

expeditiously to floor consideration of this important

resolution, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to

mark up this resolution. I do so with the understanding that

by waiving consideration of the resolution, the Committee on

Foreign Affairs does not waive any future jurisdictional

claim over the subject matters contained in the resolution

which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction.

Please include a copy of this letter and your response in

the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure

on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman,

Chairman.

I yield 3 minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lee).

I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, having no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time as well.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to first of all thank Mr. Skelton, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and also Mr. McKeon, the ranking member, and other Members who have supported this resolution.

I rise today in recognition of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have played such an important role in easing the suffering in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake that left thousands dead, thousands injured, and the country in ruins. Our military's swift, dedicated, and selfless action provided much-needed rescue, recovery, logistics and security capability in the immediate aftermath, and our service men and women who have done so much to put Haiti back on the road to recovery

We Americans can understand the impacts of disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Andrew, the Northridge earthquake to name just a few. So our hearts go out to those in Haiti whose lives have been shattered by this earthquake.

Even so, the extent of the devastation was shocking. In over 200 years, Haiti has not felt as powerful an earthquake as was experienced that day in January. Over 3 million Haitians, a third of the country's entire population, were affected by the disaster. To put the scale of this earthquake's impact into perspective, imagine an event affecting more than 100 million Americans in an instant.

For a country whose infrastructure and services were already insufficient, the effects of the 7.0 earthquake were exacerbated. Buildings throughout Port-au-Prince and the surrounding countryside collapsed like card houses--trapping, injuring, and killing many. The United Nation's peacekeeping force in Haiti to aid in stabilizing that struggling nation was unable to fully respond as it had lost its headquarters and a number of peacekeepers during the quake.

The presidential palace, city hospital, and the World Bank building were all severely damaged. Roads, highways, power lines and basic services were all impacted, making immediate life-saving efforts all the more important and difficult. The images coming from Haiti revealed an apocalyptic scene.

Our military's response was immediate, focusing on life saving and assessment, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief and evacuation operations. U.S. Southern Command was charged with coordinating and executing all military support and by chance found the Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General P.K. (Ken) Keen, already on the ground as he happened to be in Haiti on an official visit when the earthquake hit.

In these initial moments of confusion, our Armed Forces displayed the focus, determination, and steadiness that we all expect from such a well-trained force.

Under the direction of the U.S. Southern Command, the members of Operation Unified Response worked closely with the U.S. Embassy personnel, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations, and the many nations and the U.S. States who had sent rescue teams and aid personnel to quickly and effectively assess the damage, begin immediate rescue operations, and open logistical lines so that aid and recovery efforts could begin. All those involved in Operation Unified Response deserve our utmost thanks and praise for their efforts to save lives and restore hope in Haiti.

An estimated 230,000 lives were lost--76 American citizens are among the confirmed dead--and almost 200,000 injured in the earthquake. These already shocking numbers could have been all the worse had our response been any less. Instead, lives have been saved, the injured are receiving treatment, food and water are flowing, and recovery has started.

Mr. Speaker, Operation Unified Response is a reminder that America stands ready to aid a neighbor and friend in need. Once again, our military men and women have been a shining example of the American spirit. Today, we recognize and honor their efforts in Haiti and wish them, and all those helping Haiti recover, Godspeed in their work. And for Haiti and its people, we remind them that we, America, are with them in this time of need.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the House unanimously passed House Resolution 1066, recognizing the bravery and efforts of the United States Armed Forces, local first responders, and other members of Operation Unified Response for their swift and coordinated action in light of the devastation wrought upon the nation of Haiti after a horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince and surrounding cities on the 12th of January, 2010.

I have the unique honor of representing both Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. Men and women from the base were critical to the Haitian relief effort, and soldiers were involved in rescue and recovery operations as well as in humanitarian relief--passing out food and water to victims of this terrible disaster.

I would like to thank all of the military and civilian personnel who responded so effectively and quickly to this disaster, serving honorably under less than ideal conditions.

The 2nd Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps were among the first responders, with hundreds of people on the ground within days of the disaster and thousands within a week.

The 2nd of the 319th Airborne soon joined them. The entire United States Army Garrison Fort Bragg came together and deployed units from the 82nd Airborne and 18th Corps in their support for our neighbors to the south.

In times of disaster, restoring and supporting the most basic requirements of life becomes a challenge. The 43rd and the 440th Maintenance Operations Squadrons and the 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron provided the support for the fundamental requirements desperately needed by the Haitians: water, meals, and basic shelter. Of course, even the most needed supplies are useless on a tarmac. The 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, the 43rd Missions Support Squadron, the 440th Air Wing, and the 2nd Airlift Squadron got the materials where they were needed. The 145th Air Wing of the North Carolina National Guard worked with Pope Air Force personnel to make these deliveries happen. Matching the supplies and the need is no small task. The 43rd Operations Support Squadron and the 43rd Communication Squadron brought it all together under the able direction of the 43rd OG Command Post and assistance of the 43rd Security Forces.

The devastation of the nation of Haiti was tremendous. The infrastructure we take most for granted was destroyed. Roads, airports, and water infrastructure were made useless in an instant. The 43rd Civil Engineering Squadron arrived to put out fires and stayed to rebuild these fundamental needs.

The military personnel were not the only ones from North Carolina who responded to the crisis. Civilians, first responders, individual volunteers, and generous donors all helped make a difference to the people of Haiti. Communities of faith across the State moved

to help all Haitians, many building upon decades of commitment to that island nation. Churches of every denomination and members of all faiths worked together in acts of charity. As the Gospel tells us to do, they fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, sent shelter to strangers, provided clothing to the suddenly destitute, offered comfort and medical care, and, in the saddest charity of all, some helped to bury the dead. In addition to the efforts of the churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of prayer, the Lions, the Masons, and the Daughters of the American Revolution all pulled out the stops to reach across the ocean.

Mr. Speaker, the military support, the people of faith, and the civilian first responders are not three groups; they are all one community. These groups are interwoven threads that came together to weave a safety net of volunteers, food, comfort, and shelter for the suffering in Haiti. I am proud of their efforts as they've worked to support the needs in Haiti. I am proud to represent such an amazing tapestry of generosity and talent in the 2nd District of North Carolina. And I was proud to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, let me say tonight to all Americans: I thank them for their help to these people in their hour of need.