LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION sending deepest condolences to the people of
Haiti in wake of the catastrophic earthquake that hit the island on
Tuesday, January 12, 2010, and expressing solidarity with all individ-
uals and organizations involved in the ongoing rescue and recovery
efforts

WHEREAS, The human toll resulting from the devastating, tragic events of
the 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti and its aftermath will alter the
course of the lives of countless families and require the efforts and
support of New Yorkers, Americans and compassionate individuals through-
out all nations to ensure the restoration of stability to all of the
regions affected by the horrific natural disaster; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is sincerely moved to send the deepest
heartfelt condolences from the people of the State of New York to the
people of Haiti in wake of the catastrophic earthquake that hit the
island on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, and to express solidarity with all
individuals and organizations involved in the ongoing rescue and recov-
ery efforts; and
WHEREAS, This devastating earthquake, which gave virtually no warning,
has left thousands dead, nearly three million homeless, countless
orphaned, and untold thousands still missing; and
WHEREAS, The most powerful earthquake Haiti has witnessed in over 200
years has damaged and destroyed government headquarters, schools,
medical buildings, roads and bridges, requiring a widespread need for
food, water, supplies, tools, equipment, medicine, health care, law
enforcement personnel, security services, public utility services, sani-
tation and waste disposal, removal of debris, property restoration and
reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, The giving nature of New Yorkers, and all Americans, is
already apparent by the outpouring of sympathy and contributions made on
behalf of countless individuals and organizations who have aided in the
rescue and relief efforts; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 230,000 people of Haitian origin living
in New York State, including approximately 122,000 in New York City
alone as well as a growing and dynamic Haitian American community on
Long Island; the Haitian presence, particularly in Brooklyn, has posi-
tively impacted many neighborhoods, and has led to the creation of
several vibrant Haitian American community institutions and organiza-
tions; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body represents a community that possesses
the natural inclination to come to the aid of those in need, especially
in times of tragedies as great as this that have occurred on our own
soil as well as abroad; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the magnitude of this ongo-
ing national tragedy, and with these words sends the message to the
people of Haiti that the citizens of this great Empire State relate to
the suffering that others endure in times of such devastation and recov-
ery, and will remain steadfast in support and compassion with them for
as long as it takes to reunite their families, restore hope to their
lives, and secure their future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
send deepest condolences to the people of Haiti in wake of the
catastrophic earthquake that hit the island on Tuesday, January 12,
2010, and expressing solidarity with all individuals and organizations
involved in the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.