I 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5006 
To require the President to call a White House Conference on Haiti. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 13, 2010 
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. MEEK of Florida, 
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. 
SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, 
Ms. WATSON, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. LEWIS of Geor-
gia, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. NORTON, Ms. RICHARDSON, 
Mr. RUSH, Mr. SABLAN, and Mr. CAO) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on Rules, 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 
A BILL 
To require the President to call a White House Conference 
on Haiti. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘White House Con-
ference on Haiti Act of 2010’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Haiti is the poorest country in the Western 
Hemisphere. 
(2) On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude 
earthquake struck the country of Haiti. 
(3) The earthquake caused massive devastation 
across Haiti, destroying government buildings, hos-
pitals, schools, and vital aid offices including the 
headquarters of the United Nations mission to 
Haiti. 
(4) An estimated 3,000,000 people have been 
directly affected by the disaster in Haiti, nearly one- 
third of the country’s population, who are currently 
at risk of long-term displacement and vulnerability. 
(5) Prior to the earthquake, Haiti was still in 
the process of recovering from a recent series of hur-
ricanes and tropical storms, previous natural disas-
ters, and food shortages and rising commodity 
prices, but was showing encouraging signs of im-
provement. 
(6) President Obama vowed the ‘‘unwavering 
support’’ of the United States and pledged a ‘‘swift, 
coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives and 
support the recovery in Haiti’’. 
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(7) Prior to the earthquake, there were approxi-
mately 10,000 nongovernmental organizations oper-
ating in Haiti. 
(8) At least 3,000,000 Haitians live abroad. 
(9) Haitians abroad provide significant capital 
to local economies in Haiti through travel and remit-
tances and have the potential to advance reconstruc-
tion efforts by providing needed skills and resources. 
(10) The response to the tragedy from the glob-
al community has been overwhelmingly positive. 
(11) Individuals, businesses, and philanthropic 
organizations across the United States and through-
out the international community have responded in 
support of Haiti during this time of crisis. 
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF THE CONFERENCE. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CALL CONFERENCE.—Not later 
than December 31, 2010, the President shall call the 
White House Conference on Haiti (in this Act referred to 
as the ‘‘Conference’’) to be convened not later than 6 
months after the selection of the Policy Committee estab-
lished in section 4, in order to make fundamental policy 
recommendations on ways to assist in the recovery and 
long-term development of Haiti. 
(b) PLANNING AND DIRECTION.—The Secretary of 
State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (in this Act 
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referred to as the ‘‘Co-chairs’’) shall plan, conduct, and 
convene the Conference, in consultation with other appro-
priate Cabinet members. 
(c) PURPOSES OF CONFERENCE.—The purposes of 
the Conference are to— 
(1) bring attention to the ongoing challenges 
facing Haiti and the progress made in its recovery 
from the January 12, 2010, earthquake; 
(2) promote collaboration and coordination be-
tween the United States Government, foreign gov-
ernments, the private sector, international non-
governmental organizations, and the Haitian dias-
pora; 
(3) identify gaps or duplication in the provision 
of humanitarian assistance; 
(4) highlight innovative ideas for sustainable re-
building and redevelopment in Haiti; 
(5) share best practices in development assist-
ance in Haiti and in nations facing similar chal-
lenges; 
(6) develop opportunities for greater involve-
ment in Haiti’s recovery by the Haitian diaspora 
and the private sector; 
(7) review the structure, scope, and effective-
ness of existing policies and initiatives by public and 
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private entities regarding development assistance, 
stability, and long-term economic growth in Haiti; 
and 
(8) identify possible changes to United States 
immigration, trade, and foreign aid policies that may 
assist in a more rapid, sustainable recovery. 
SEC. 4. POLICY COMMITTEE; RELATED COMMITTEES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than June 30, 
2010, there is established a Policy Committee comprising 
of 17 members to be selected as follows: 
(1) PRESIDENTIAL
APPOINTEES.—Nine mem-
bers shall be selected by the President and shall in-
clude— 
(A) 3 members who are officers or employ-
ees of the United States; and 
(B) 6 members with experience in address-
ing the needs of disaster-stricken and devel-
oping countries. 
(2) HOUSE APPOINTEES.— 
(A) SELECTION BY SPEAKER.—Two mem-
bers shall be selected by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives after consultation 
with the chairperson of the Committee on For-
eign Affairs, the chairperson of the Committee 
on Homeland Security, the chairperson of the 
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Committee on the Judiciary, the chairperson of 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
the chairperson of the Committee on Financial 
Services, of the House of Representatives. 
(B) SELECTION BY MINORITY LEADER.— 
Two members shall be selected by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives, after 
consultation with the ranking minority members 
of such committees. 
(3) SENATE APPOINTEES.— 
(A) SELECTION BY MAJORITY LEADER.— 
Two members shall be selected by the majority 
leader of the Senate, after consultation with 
members of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and 
the Committee on Finance, of the Senate. 
(B) SELECTION BY MINORITY LEADER.— 
Two members shall be selected by the minority 
leader of the Senate, after consultation with 
members of such committees. 
(b) VOTING; CHAIRPERSON.— 
(1) VOTING.—The Policy Committee shall act 
by the vote of a majority of the members present. 
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A quorum of Committee members shall not be re-
quired to conduct Committee business. 
(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Under Secretary of 
State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs shall 
serve as the chairperson of the Policy Committee. 
The chairperson may vote only to break a tie vote 
of the other members of the Policy Committee. 
(c) DUTIES OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE.—The Pol-
icy Committee shall initially meet at the call of the Co- 
chairs, not later than 30 days after the last member is 
selected under subsection (a). Subsequent meetings of the 
Policy Committee shall be held at the call of the chair-
person. Through meetings, hearings, and working ses-
sions, the Policy Committee shall— 
(1) make recommendations to the Co-chairs to 
facilitate the timely convening of the Conference; 
(2) submit to the Co-chairs a proposed agenda 
for the Conference not later than 90 days after the 
first meeting of the Policy Committee; 
(3) make recommendations for the delegates of 
the Conference; 
(4) establish the number of delegates to be se-
lected under section 5; and 
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(5) establish an executive committee consisting 
of 3 members of the Policy Committee to work with 
delegates of the Conference. 
SEC. 5. CONFERENCE DELEGATES. 
To carry out the purposes of the Conference, the Co- 
chairs shall bring together delegates representative of the 
spectrum of thought in the fields of development and hu-
manitarian assistance, infrastructure development, trade, 
democratic strengthening, and Haitian culture and his-
tory, without regard to political affiliation or past partisan 
activity, who shall include— 
(1) representatives of the United States and 
international governments; 
(2) members of the Haitian diaspora; 
(3) representatives of international nongovern-
mental organizations; and 
(4) individuals from private sector entities. 
SEC. 6. CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) ADMINISTRATION.—In administering this section, 
the Co-chairs shall— 
(1) provide written notice to all members of the 
Policy Committee of each meeting, hearing, or work-
ing session of such Committee not later than 48 
hours before the occurrence of such meeting, hear-
ing, or working session; 
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(2) request the cooperation and assistance of 
the heads of such other Federal departments and 
agencies as may be appropriate, including the detail-
ing of personnel; 
(3) make available for public comment a pro-
posed agenda prepared by the Policy Committee, 
which will reflect to the greatest extent possible the 
major issues facing assistance to Haiti with the pur-
poses of the Conference set forth in section 3(c); 
(4) prepare and make available background ma-
terials that the Co-chairs deem necessary for the use 
of delegates to the Conference; and 
(5) employ such additional personnel as may be 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
without regard to provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, and without regard to chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(b) DUTIES.—In carrying out the Co-chairs’s respon-
sibilities and functions under this section, the Co-chairs 
shall ensure that— 
(1) the proposed agenda prepared under sub-
section (a)(3) is published in the Federal Register 
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not later than 30 days after such agenda is approved 
by the Policy Committee; 
(2) the personnel employed under subsection 
(a)(5) are fairly balanced in terms of points of views 
represented and are appointed without regard to po-
litical affiliation or previous partisan activities; 
(3) the recommendations of the Conference are 
not inappropriately influenced by any public official 
or by any special interest, but instead are the result 
of the independent and collective judgment of the 
delegates of the Conference; and 
(4) before the Conference is convened— 
(A) current and adequate statistical data 
and other information on health and social out-
comes in Haiti, and 
(B) such information as may be necessary 
to evaluate programs and policies relating to 
Haiti, 
which the Co-chairs may obtain by making grants to 
or entering into an agreement with, public agencies 
or nonprofit organizations, are readily available in 
advance of the Conference to the delegates. 
(c) GIFTS.—The Co-chairs may accept, on behalf of 
the United States, gifts (in cash or in kind, including vol-
untary and uncompensated services), which shall be avail-
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able to carry out this Act. Gifts of cash shall be available 
in addition to amounts appropriated to carry out this title. 
Gifts may be earmarked by the donor or the executive 
committee for a specific purpose. 
(d) RECORDS.—The Co-chairs shall maintain records 
regarding— 
(1) the sources, amounts, and uses of gifts ac-
cepted under subsection (c); and 
(2) the identity of each person receiving assist-
ance to carry out this Act, and the amount of such 
assistance received by each such person. 
SEC. 7. REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE. 
(a) PRELIMINARY REPORT.—Not later than 100 days 
after the Conference adjourns, the Policy Committee shall 
prepare a preliminary report on the Conference which 
shall be published in the Federal Register and submitted 
to Members of Congress and relevant administration offi-
cials. The Policy Committee shall request that Members 
of Congress and administration officials submit to the Pol-
icy Committee, not later than 45 days after receiving such 
report, their views and findings on such report. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date on which the Conference adjourns, the Policy 
Committee shall— 
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(1) prepare a final report of the Conference 
which shall include a compilation of the views and 
findings of the Members of Congress and adminis-
tration officials received under subsection (a); and 
(2) publish in the Federal Register, and trans-
mit to the President and to Congress, the rec-
ommendations for the administrative action and the 
legislation necessary to implement the recommenda-
tions contained in such report. 
SEC. 8. STATUS REPORTS. 
(a) INITIAL STATUS REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which the Conference adjourns, the 
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public 
Affairs shall— 
(1) prepare a status report documenting the im-
plementation of the recommendations contained in 
the final report described in section 7(b)(1); and 
(2) publish in the Federal Register, and trans-
mit to the President and to Congress, such status 
report. 
(b) SUBSEQUENT STATUS REPORTS.—Not later than 
5 years after the date on which the Conference adjourns, 
and every 5 years thereafter until all recommendations in 
the final report described in section 7(b)(1) are achieved, 
the Comptroller General shall— 
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(1) prepare a status report documenting the im-
plementation of the recommendations contained in 
such final report; and 
(2) publish in the Federal Register, and trans-
mit to the President and to Congress, such status 
report. 
SEC. 9. COMMITTEE HEARINGS. 
(a) HEARINGS
ON REPORTS.—The Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate shall each 
hold hearings on the recommendations and status reports 
received by Congress under sections 7(b)(2), 8(a)(2), and 
8(b)(2). 
(b) HEARINGS.—The Committee on Foreign Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Foreign Relations of the Senate shall each hold annual 
hearings on recovery and long-term development of Haiti. 
(c) EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Sub-
sections (a) and (b) are enacted— 
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of 
the House of Representatives and Senate, and, as 
such, they shall be considered as part of the rules 
of the House or Senate (as the case may be), and 
such rules shall supersede any other rule of the 
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House or Senate only to the extent that rule is in-
consistent therewith; and 
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional 
right of either House to change such rules (so far 
as relating to the procedure in such House) at any 
time, in the same manner, and to the same extent 
as in the case of any other rule of the House or Sen-
ate. 
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this Act— 
(A) such sums as may be necessary for the 
first fiscal year in which the Policy Committee 
plans the Conference and for the following fis-
cal year; and 
(B) such sums as may be necessary for the 
fiscal year in which the Conference is held. 
(2) LIMITATION.—Any new spending authority 
or new authority to enter into contracts under this 
Act, and under which the United States is obligated 
to make outlays, shall be effective only to the extent, 
and in such amounts, as are provided in advance in 
appropriations Acts. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (3), funds appropriated to carry out this Act 
and funds received as gifts under section 6(c) shall 
remain available for obligation or expenditure until 
the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the 
date the Conference adjourns. 
(2) UNOBLIGATED FUNDS.—Except as provided 
in paragraph (3), any such funds neither obligated 
nor expended before the expiration of the 1-year pe-
riod beginning on the date the Conference adjourns 
shall be returned to the United States Treasury. 
(3) CONFERENCE NOT CONVENED.—If the Con-
ference is not convened before December 31, 2010, 
a trust fund shall be established and such funds 
shall be deposited in the trust fund and shall only 
be available for a future Conference on Haiti. 
Æ 
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