Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-17), the representative of the largest concentration of Haitian Americans in Congress and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti this morning for a daylong visit. Her itinerary includes meetings with President-elect Michel Martelly at the Palais National and Senate President Kelly Bastien and Senator Steven Benoit at the Parliament.
“One of my top priorities in Congress is strengthening U.S.-Haiti relations and helping Haiti rebuild. Today’s trip, my first visit to Haiti after the earthquake, is an opportunity to survey first-hand the conditions on the ground and meet with the country’s leadership to chart a path forward. As the representative of the largest concentration of Haitian Americans in Congress, I look forward to bringing back what I’ve learned to develop more effective and sustainable policies towards our neighbor and deepening the ties between our two nations.”
Rep. Wilson will hold a media availability at Miami International Airport tonight at 7:45 p.m. upon her return. If you are interested in attending or otherwise would like to interview Rep. Wilson during or after the trip, please contact Mahen Gunaratna at mahen.gunaratna@mail.house.gov or (202) 641-4928.
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.