Saturday, January 30, 2010

Paul Farmer testifies at the U.S. Senate

Along with Red Cross, Partners in Health has been chosen as the beneficiary of BSC fundraising efforts in Haiti. Co-founder Dr. Paul Farmer recently provided this update to the U.S. Senate.

“Haiti: From Rescue to Reconstruction” hearing of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday.

"I am at my core optimistic about the possibilities before us and the potential of our support to help rescue and transform our poorest neighbor," stated Paul in his submitted testimony. "The response from citizens of the United States to the recent events in Haiti has been overwhelming and encouraging. There is the promise of solidarity by our leadership to make long-term commitments to the kinds of investments needed in Haiti—and to fulfilling them."

"For two centuries, the Haitian people have struggled for basic human and economic rights, the right to health care, the right to education, the right to work, the right to dignity and independence,"he continued. "These goals, which Haitians share with people all over the world, should direct our policies of aid and rebuilding."

Read the rest of his testimony at the PIH web site.

1 comment:

  1. A really remarkable aspect of this testimony is the fact that Dr. Farmer began his work with President Clinton in Rwanda -- which had been the poorest country in either hemisphere. Progress in that country is part of what makes him optimistic about Haiti.

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