23331: PromoCapital: HAITI NEEDS S-2261 IN ITS CURRENT FORM - We have less than 24 hours left before irreparable damage is done! (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: PromoCapital <promocapital@promocapital.us>


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HAITI NEEDS S-2261 IN ITS CURRENT FORM
This an extremely urgent matter requiring, if at all possible, your
immediate attention.
Do it today, as we have less than 24 hours left before irreparable damage is
done!
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HAITI NEEDS S-2261 IN ITS CURRENT FORM - HAITIAN-AMERICANS, READ THE MESSAGE
AND ACT UPON IT NOW!!! Do it today, as we have less than 24 hours left
before irreparable damage is done!

Back in June of this year, the United States Senate voted unanimously a
proposed bill (S-2261) known as H.E.R.O. (Haitian Economic Recovery and
Opportunity act). This bill, upon becoming law, would generate a minimum of
100,000 jobs in Haiti, within a 3 year time span, and spur considerable
foreign investment in Haiti.

A study commissioned by the Bush Administration last year has concluded in
no uncertain term that HERO (version S-2261) would generate at least 100,000
direct jobs in Haiti, and with a multiplier effect of 1.5:1 versus indirect
jobs. In other words, 250,000 Haitians would find a job in the next 3 years
which in turns represent 1.5 million Haitians being fed from new job
creation. The study also concluded that HERO would represent no threat of
job loss to the United States since; after all, Haiti is in no way capable
of representing an alternative to the work force of the U.S. Instead, Haiti
would stop the ongoing erosion of job losses from Latin and Central America
from going to China and Vietnam. HERO S-2261 would create jobs in America,
with the increasing export potential the U.S. would benefit from Haiti's
improved economy. As if this was not enough of a stimulus for the passing of
HERO (S-2261), we need not remind the world of the natural catastrophes that
Haiti underwent this past year, namely Mapou, Fond Verettes, Gonaives, and
other northern localities. Job creation, not humanitarian assistance, would
certain alleviate all these sufferings.

Where are we today (Oct.5, 2004)?

The Republican leadership of the Ways and Means Committee - Congressman Bill
Thomas (R-CA), Congressman Clay Shaw (R-FL), and Congressman Phil Crane
(R-IL) - is attempting to rush a different version of the HERO bill in the
House and having it voted and sent back to the Senate, before Congress goes
into recess at the end of this week. Unfortunately the Republican version of
the bill will not create A SINGLE new job in Haiti, since their version's
dilution of the Senate's version does not leave the slimmest room for any
job creation, thus no room for any fair compromise. Instead of granting
Haiti the right to export to the US up to 500 million sq. yds. of knits and
woven fabric by year 3, the Republican version will limit Haiti's exports to
15 million sq. yds of wovens and 0 (yes! a big fat 0!) sq. yd. of knits.

The Republican leadership of the Ways and Means Committe - and Mr. Bill
Thomas in particular - must understand that Haiti's focus is not simply a
textile trade bill, but an economic jump-start package so needed for our
country. After a disastrous 2004, can we afford to the shut the door on an
economic revival for Haiti?

It is up to us, Haitian-Americans, and friends of Haiti who understand the
impact of S-2261, to stand up for Haiti in her hour of need. We have
accomplished a lot on the aid and assistance front. We need to turn now to
our elected representatives in Congress for them to understand that a) Haiti
is not a pawn in a cynical election year game, 2) we vote and will remember
how they supported (or decided not to support) the causes we hold dear.

A SPECIAL WORD TO HAITIAN-AMERICANS IN FLORIDA - In the 2000 elections, the
winner of the Presidential race won by a margin of 537 votes. You hold the
power to sway elected leaders because of such a slim margin!!! Make your
voices heard loud and clear! Not tomorrow, not next week, TODAY!!! There is
little time. Remind Congressman Shaw that you hold the power to make his
party suffer in November.

If the Republican leadership of the Commitee has a better suggestion, and
can offer a more aggressive poverty reduction package for Haiti, we
Haitian-Americans will gladly entertain it. If nothing substantial is
granted for Haiti, the future of our beloved ones may be worse than we have
ever imagined.

Haitian-Americans, and friends of Haiti, please contact your own
representative AND the congressmen, governor and senator listed below, and
plea for the following:

HAITI NEEDS TRADE AND NOT JUST AID!

HAITI NEEDS HERO AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE VERSION S-2261!

Do it today, as we have less than 24 hours left before irreparable damage is
done!

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Congressman Bill Thomas
Washington DC Office
(202) 225-2915
(202) 225-8798 fax
To send an email message: http://billthomas.house.gov/contact.asp

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Congressman Phil Crane
Washington DC Office
Ph. (202) 225-3711

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Congressman Clay E. Shaw
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE CONTACT INFO
2408 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3026
FAX: 202-225-8398
FORT LAUDERDALE OFFICE CONTACT INFO
1512 East Broward Boulevard
Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-522-1800
FAX: 954-768-0511
WEST PALM BEACH OFFICE CONTACT INFO
222 Lakeview Avenue
Suite 225
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-832-3007
FAX: 561-832-0227
 To send an email message: http://www.house.gov/writerep

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Governor Jeb Bush
E-mail: jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Write:
PL 05 The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Telephone:
850/488-4441
Fax: 850/487-0801

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Senator Mike DeWine
Washington Office:
140 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3503
Phone: (202) 224-2315
Fax: (202) 224-6519
Main District Office:
37 W. Broad St., Ste. 300
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614! ) 469-5186
Fax: (614) 469-2982

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SAMPLE E-MAIL or FAX
If you do not have the time to write a custom message, please cut and paste
the following and fill out the name of the adressee
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Dear ___________,

As a Haitian-American, I am writing to thank you for taking an interest in
the plight of Haiti and for following up on the HERO Act. However, I have
learned with dismay that the version of the bill your office is proposing
would gut the key provisions of S-2261 and would reduce Haiti's allowable
exports from 3.5% in year 3 (which would be equivalent to roughly 500
million sq. yds. of woven and knit fabric) to 15 million sq. yds of wovens
and 0 sq. yd. of knit. Needless to say, such a version would have zero
impact on the economic development of Haiti and would be just a failed
textile bill, not an economic stimulus bill for Haiti at a time when she
needs our support the most. We Haitian-American voters are watching with
great interest the handling of the HERO Act in Congress, and I hope your
office will make the necessary corrections so that your version closely
matches S-2261, which was passed by the Senate in June.

Sincerely,



__________________________

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