22704: (Hermantin) Miami-Herald-Gov. Bush establishes panel to aid Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Gov. Bush establishes panel to aid Haiti

By Alva James-Johnson
Staff Writer
Posted July 15 2004

Gov. Jeb Bush established a Haiti Advisory Group on Wednesday to guide the
state in its efforts to help rebuild the impoverished nation.

The group, which will consist of 11 members, was created by executive order.
Jacob DiPietre, a spokesman for the governor's office, said Bush would
accept applications for the commission until July 30, and name the members
by mid-August.

He said the governor is looking for a diverse group of people with expertise
in areas that can help the country in its overall development.

"We're trying to find people who have an interest in seeing Haiti grow and
improve and who share the governor's interest in seeing Florida become a
leader in that process," he said.

The new commission came as good news to many in the Haitian-American
community who have been holding the governor to his promise to help the
country ever since his first visit there a month ago.

After returning to South Florida, Bush described Haiti as a place with
tremendous poverty and people looking for hope and made a commitment to
include South Florida Haitian-Americans in efforts to rebuild the country.

Lesly Jacques, of Radio Haiti Amerique Internationale, WHSR 980 AM in Boca
Raton, said the governor announced his plans to form the commission on his
Haitian radio program two weeks ago.

"When it was announced, it was very well taken by the Haitian community," he
said. "It's about time South Florida, which is so close to Haiti, works with
the country."

Bush also had a private meeting with a small group of Haitian-Americans in
Broward and Miami-Dade counties to discuss his plans and received a
favorable response.

At the same time, some Haitian-Americans and immigration advocates have been
asking the governor to persuade his brother, President Bush, to grant
temporary protected status to Haitian refugees. Bush has said he is inclined
to support temporary protected status for Haitians, but needs more
information.

The executive order said the commission would help identify the needs of the
country and make recommendations to the governor's office. Some of the areas
of focus would include economic development, environmental issues,
infrastructure development, disaster relief and governmental corruption.

The commission would also serve as an information liaison between Haitian
communities and local, state and federal government officials; heighten
awareness nationwide about Haiti's situation and assess volunteer
opportunities in the country.

For information on how to be appointed to the commission, call the
Governor's Appointment Office at 850-488-2183.

Alva James-Johnson can be reached at ajjohnson@sun-sentinel.com or
954-356-4523.      Email story




Copyright © 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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