Stumbled onto this wikileaks cable while digging Charles Rangel regarding a Haiti Congressional Delegation visiting Haiti after the earthquake. Some interesting names on the list and some interesting nuggets
https://www.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/10PORTAUPRINCE176_a.html
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(SBU) SUMMARY: On February 12 Speaker of the House of
Representatives '''Nancy Pelosi, along with the 11 Senators and
members of Congress''', arrived in Port-au-Prince to observe U.S.
relief efforts and to discuss the status of those efforts with US
and GOH officials. President Preval told the Codel they are
rallying to address the monumental challenges confronting them, and
with a vision that looks beyond Haiti's immediate needs. Preval
stated that, in the short-term, Haiti needs help in addressing the
problems of displaced persons, a budget shortfall, stimulating the
economy, and holding elections. Preval also asked for assistance
in encouraging U.S. private investment, decentralizing foreign
investment, creating jobs, and building roads. Prime Minister
Bellerive supported the concept of '''establishing a trusteeship
comprised of the GOH and major donors to coordinate the
disbursement of financial aid.''' END SUMMARY.
CODEL Members and Participants
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(SBU) Members of the Senate:
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Tom Harkin, Chairman Health Education and Labor (D-IA)
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Bill Nelson, Budget, Finance and SASC (D-FL)
* Amy Klobuchar, Judiciary (D-MN)
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Frank Lautenberg, Appropriations (D-NJ)
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George LeMieux, SASC (R-FL)
Members of the House of Representatives:
* Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House (D-CA)
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Charles Rangel, Chairman Ways and Means (D-NY)
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John Conyers, Chairman Judiciary (D-Mich)
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James Oberstar, Transportation and Infrastructure (D-MN)
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Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)
* Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
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Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Also accompanying the CODEL were Assistant Secretary for
Legislative Affairs Rich Verma, seven members of the Senate and
House staff, and two representatives of the Senate and House UNMC
liaison offices.
…
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(SBU) (((Central Bank President Castel))) said, as a result of
destroyed businesses and loan defaults, 40 percent of Haiti's
banks' portfolios may have been lost. Those businesses can rebuild
(((only if credit is available,))) commenting "we need to extend credit
in order to create jobs," and added "we cannot raise revenue
without jobs." Castel urged the American legislators to include
funds to recapitalize the banks in any budget supplemental.
Senator Harkin mentioned that Congress will be considering a
supplemental appropriation bill, and requested a list of GOH needs
for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Coordination of Expenditures - Trusteeship Proposal
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(SBU) '''Senator Nelson suggested that the GOH establish a
trusteeship with authority to disburse funds contributed by donors.'''
Prime Minister Bellerive stated that he discussed the subject of a
trusteeship with Counselor Cheryl Mills, and that the GOH supports
the idea, provided the body would be (((transparent.))) Bellerive added
that the trusteeship should be governed by an '''"International Donor
Board" consisting of the largest donors, and co-chaired by the GOH.'''
He suggested the body should first adopt a plan and then vote to
disburse funds for projects consistent with the plan. Bellerive
said the GOH would propose this structure to the donors meeting in
April.
Think Big and Outside of Port-au-Prince
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(SBU) Speaker Pelosi urged Preval to "think big." "We're
receptive" she added, "and we would like to hear that Haiti is
going toward a different place. If so, you would (((receive even more
support, and we see this as an opportunity to be even more
helpful."))) "You can teach the world how to respond to such a
disaster, and become a model." Pelosi stated that sometimes such a
tragedy can be a great opportunity, and suggested the examples of
San Francisco and Italy.