29457: Hermantin(news)DeWine's defeat is a loss for Haitians (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>


Haiti

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board

Posted November 8 2006


DeWine's defeat is a loss for Haitians



The defeat of Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, in Tuesday's elections deals another 
blow to the interests of Haiti and Haitians in the United States. DeWine had 
joined with former Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., in an effort to pass legislation 
friendly to the impoverished Caribbean nation and its expatriates.

Now both men are gone. Graham retired from the Senate in 2005, and DeWine was 
beaten Tuesday by Democratic U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown. Graham and DeWine 
sponsored the Haiti Economic Recovery and Opportunity Act, which would use 
trade incentives like duty-free status for Haitian apparel to spur reforms in 
Haiti and encourage foreign investment. The Senate has passed the measure, but 
the House has yet to do so.

It should now be time for supportive South Florida members of the House, such 
as Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, to step up to the plate and deliver this 
long-overdue legislation.

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