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Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Applauds Decision by World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank in Canceling Haiti's Debts

July 1, 2009

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory Meeks applauds the decision by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank to relieve Haiti of their financial obligations, thus eliminating two thirds of Haiti’s outstanding debt burden.


“I commend the World bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank in their cancellation of $1.2 billion of Haiti’s debt. This money will allow Haiti’s government to invest in programs to reduce poverty, strengthen healthcare, provide better educational opportunities and create jobs during this global economic crisis,” stated Congressman Gregory Meeks.


Under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, Haiti became the 26th country to reach the completion point, which allowed the government to receive debt relief. Over three-quarters of the population of Haiti live on less than $2.00 a day. Congressman Meeks has been an active and vocal supporter of Haiti in the past, and has done a lot to ensure that additional resources be provided to the Haitian government to fight poverty and hunger, and to ensure that its debt burden be lightened as part of the HIPC initiative.


“Haiti is an extremely impoverished country that will benefit tremendously from this debt relief. I look forward to working with Haiti’s government in fighting poverty and securing resources to facilitate a better way of life for all,” stated Congressman Gregory Meeks.


Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Coalition and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus, OAS Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.