•HRES 1241 IH 
cluding kidnappings, murders, rapes, and blocking the 
delivery of vital humanitarian aid; 
Whereas, according to United Nations estimates, there are 
approximately 200 active criminal armed groups oper-
ating in Haiti, many of whom have longstanding connec-
tions with the political and economic elite; 
Whereas this unprecedented violence has displaced over 
500,000 civilians, created a severe humanitarian crisis, 
and crippled the country’s already fragile economy and 
public services; 
Whereas, according to the United Nations Integrated Office 
in Haiti (BINUH), since the beginning of the year, there 
have been more than 2,500 deaths and injuries related to 
gang violence, a 53-percent increase from October 
through December 2023; 
Whereas a 2023 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 
report found that most illegal firearms seized in Haiti 
came from the United States, notably Florida, Arizona, 
Georgia, Texas, and California; 
Whereas, in 2024 alone, kidnappings have risen to at least 
504 victims, 294 of these being women, 11 girls, and 9 
boys, in addition to the 3,000+ persons reportedly kid-
napped in 2023; 
Whereas the United Nations, and other experts, report that 
the raping of women and girls is routine, and these 
groups of individuals disproportionately suffer from the 
crisis in their country, and at least 64 women and girls 
suffered from sexual violence; 
Whereas gangs are using sexual violence to create fear, ob-
tain money, gain power, and punish local communities, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:31 May 17, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1241.IH
HR1241
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 1241 IH 
and this violence includes trafficking, sexual exploitation, 
and sexual slavery; 
Whereas, according to the United Nations Populations Fund, 
at least 380,000 people have been internally displaced, 
including more than 180,000 children who are facing se-
vere malnutrition; 
Whereas approximately 5,000,000 Haitians, including 1 out 
of 2 children, are facing acute levels of food insecurity; 
Whereas, according to the United Nations, 30 to 50 percent 
of armed groups have minors in their ranks; 
Whereas the complete breakdown of law, order, and func-
tional governance in Port-au-Prince now poses a direct 
threat to regional security and stability in the Caribbean; 
Whereas the Haitian people have shown remarkable resilience 
in the face of these compounding crises; 
Whereas the United States has longstanding historical, eco-
nomic, and cultural ties to Haiti, with millions of Ameri-
cans tracing their heritage to the country, and has a 
vested interest in Haiti’s stability and development; 
Whereas the restoration of democratic governance through 
free and fair elections is an essential condition for rees-
tablishing lasting security, economic development, and 
the national interests of Haiti and the United States; 
Whereas, 
in 
April 
2024, 
the 
Caribbean 
Community 
(CARICOM), with the backing of the United States and 
the international community, supported the establishment 
of a Transitional Presidential Council in Haiti with broad 
political representation and the objective of restoring se-
curity and holding free and fair elections; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:31 May 17, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1241.IH
HR1241
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 1241 IH 
Whereas Haitian Americans have contributed to the cultural 
diversity of the United States through their vibrant tradi-
tions, music, dance, cuisine, and literature, and Haitian 
art, literature, and music have influenced United States 
culture, and events such as Haitian Carnival celebrations 
have become popular in some United States cities; 
Whereas, according to the World Bank, remittances to Haiti 
totaled over $3,000,000,000 in 2020, accounting for ap-
proximately one-fifth of the country’s gross domestic 
product, and these remittances play a crucial role in Hai-
ti’s economy, providing a steady source of income for 
many families and contributing to poverty reduction and 
household consumption; and 
Whereas Haitian Americans play a vital role in Haiti’s devel-
opment efforts, leveraging their resources, expertise, and 
networks to support education, technology, sustainable 
development, resilience, and prosperity in their homeland: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) marks 220 years of Haitian independence; 
(2) recognizes that Haiti has contributed sig-
nificantly to the abolition of slavery and the struggle 
for human rights in Latin America and in the 
United States; 
(3) recognizes that Haitian culture, religion, 
art, and literature contributes significantly to United 
States cultural diversity; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:31 May 17, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR1241.IH
HR1241
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 1241 IH 
(4) recognizes the Haitian diaspora’s contribu-
tion to the economy of Haiti and the critical role it 
plays in the future; 
(5) acknowledges that the United States and 
international community have played a large role in 
Haiti’s instability; 
(6) acknowledges the need to improve United 
States financial assistance to Haiti by reforming the 
foreign aid system and ensuring foreign assistance is 
being distributed to Haitian-led communities; 
(7) recognizes the United States and the inter-
national community’s moral obligation to support 
Haiti’s struggle for democracy; 
(8) recognizes that Haitian democracy, sta-
bility, and economic prosperity is important to the 
region and to United States strategic interest; 
(9) recognizes that the restoration of demo-
cratic governance through free and fair elections is 
an essential condition for reestablishing lasting secu-
rity, economic development, and the national inter-
ests of Haiti and the United States; and 
(10) expresses the sense that Congress should 
establish the Louverture Investment Plan, a 10-year, 
$50,000,000,000 development program to rebuild 
Haiti to stabilize the country, strengthen democratic 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:31 May 17, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR1241.IH
HR1241
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 1241 IH 
and judiciary institutions, invest in critical infra-
structure, spur economic growth, and improve oppor-
tunities for women and youth to secure the welfare 
of the Haitian people, which should be designed and 
implemented in consultation with all stakeholders in-
cluding the Haitian diaspora, and include, but not 
be limited to, the following components: 
(A) Supporting the restoration of demo-
cratic governance through free and fair elec-
tions, strengthening the rule of law, and build-
ing the capacity of Haiti’s security forces in-
cluding a disarmament, demobilization, and re-
integration program for youth formerly enrolled 
into gangs. 
(B) Investing in the reconstruction and 
modernization of Haiti’s physical infrastructure, 
including health care, roads, bridges, ports, 
power grids, and water and sanitation systems. 
(C) Promoting sustainable economic devel-
opment through agricultural modernization and 
food security. 
(D) Supporting small businesses and en-
trepreneurs, especially small- and medium-sized 
entrepreneurs, women, and youth. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:31 May 17, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR1241.IH
HR1241
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB