H. Res. 1021 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
January 21, 2010. 
Whereas on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake 
struck the country of Haiti; 
Whereas according to the United States Geological Survey 
(USGS) the earthquake epicenter was located approxi-
mately 10 miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince; 
Whereas the earthquake has been followed by dangerous 
aftershocks, including two of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude, and 
with the most severe to date, at 6.1, coming on January 
20, 2010; 
Whereas casualty estimates, still being compiled, as well as 
infrastructure damage, including to roads, ports, hos-
pitals, and residential dwellings, place this earthquake as 
the worst cataclysm to hit Haiti in over two centuries; 
Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 people have been directly af-
fected by the disaster in Haiti, nearly one-third of the 
country’s population, who are currently at risk of long- 
term displacement and vulnerability; 
Whereas the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti 
(MINUSTAH) headquarters collapsed with approxi-
mately 150 staff members inside, including the head of 
the mission, Hedi Annabi, causing the largest loss of life 
in United Nations history;
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Whereas an unknown number of individuals remain trapped 
under collapsed buildings, as rescue teams work around- 
the-clock to locate and extract survivors; 
Whereas the destruction of infrastructure, particularly to the 
port, airport, roads, and telecommunications, continues to 
hinder the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance 
in Haiti; 
Whereas Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in the 
Western Hemisphere, and prior to the earthquake was 
ranked 149 out of 182 countries on the United Nations 
Human Development Index; 
Whereas prior to the earthquake, Haiti was still in the proc-
ess of recovering from a ruinous recent series of hurri-
canes and tropical storms, food shortages and rising com-
modity prices, and political instability, but was showing 
encouraging signs of improvement; 
Whereas in addition to the pressure to secure communities 
and prevent looters from causing further harm to their 
citizens who are struggling to recover, Haiti’s peniten-
tiary collapsed and spilled untold numbers of criminals 
into an already disturbing security situation; 
Whereas a number of children legally confirmed as orphans 
are eligible for intercountry adoption, and the uncertain 
welfare of children who are already in the process of 
being adopted is of urgent concern to their prospective 
adoptive parents in the United States; 
Whereas it is in the interests of these orphans and their pro-
spective adoptive parents to facilitate and expedite legal 
adoptions of Haitian orphans to the United States; 
Whereas President Obama vowed the ‘‘unwavering support’’ 
of the United States and pledged a ‘‘swift, coordinated
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and aggressive effort to save lives and support the recov-
ery in Haiti’’; 
Whereas the response to the tragedy from the global commu-
nity has been overwhelmingly positive; 
Whereas the initial emergency response of the men and 
women of the United States Government, led by the 
United States Agency for International Development and 
United States Southern Command, has been swift and 
resolute; 
Whereas MINUSTAH peacekeepers, while still trying to res-
cue their colleagues in their headquarters, have taken a 
leading role to assist in clearing roads and providing se-
curity around Port-au-Prince to facilitate aid into the 
earthquake disaster zone; 
Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Secu-
rity has temporarily halted the deportation of Haitian na-
tionals to Haiti in response to the devastation caused by 
the earthquake; 
Whereas the United States Department of Homeland Secu-
rity granted the designation of Temporary Protected Sta-
tus for Haitian nationals who are in the United States 
and unable to return to their country due to the destruc-
tion and humanitarian crisis in Haiti; 
Whereas individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organiza-
tions across the United States and throughout the inter-
national community have responded in support of Haiti 
and its populace during this time of crisis, sometimes in 
innovative ways such as fundraising through text mes-
saging;
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Whereas throughout this terrible calamity, the Haitian people 
continue to demonstrate unwavering resilience, dignity, 
and courage; and 
Whereas once proper surveys and assessments are conducted, 
the initial and crucial emergency relief response will likely 
move to a comprehensive mission requiring sustained as-
sistance from the United States and the international 
community for reconstruction and development efforts: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy 
for the horrific loss of life and the physical and psycho-
logical damage caused by the earthquake of January 12, 
2010; 
(2) expresses solidarity with Haitians, Haitian 
Americans, and all those who have lost loved ones or 
have otherwise been affected by the tragedy, including 
United States Embassy personnel, United Nations 
peacekeepers, and humanitarian workers; 
(3) commends the efforts and honors the sacrifice 
of the men and women of the Government of Haiti, the 
United States Government, the United Nations, and the 
international community in their immediate response to 
those affected by this calamity; 
(4) commends the efforts of the American people, 
including the Haitian-American community, to provide
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(B) to provide, when the emergency subsides, 
assistance in partnership with the Government of 
Haiti and in coordination with other donors to 
begin the reconstruction of Haiti; 
(C) to undertake comprehensive assessments of 
the long-term needs for recovery and development 
in Haiti, ensure transparency and accountability, 
and lead coordination efforts with international ac-
tors who share in the goal of a better future for 
Haiti and are willing to support the costs of meet-
ing those needs; and 
(D) to utilize new and innovative thinking in 
providing long-term assistance to Haiti, including 
tapping into the insight and immense potential of 
the Haitian Diaspora, to help Haitians rebuild upon 
the strongest possible foundation, in order to pro-
mote a stable and sustainable future for Haiti. 
Attest: 
Clerk.