Allen West Expresses Condolences To Haitian People
US Congressional candidate Allen B. West expressed his condolences to the Haitian people today.
West said, “It is with the highest degree of sincerity of heart that I extend my condolences to the people of Haiti, as well as to those here in the US who have been affected.”
Allen West
West’s statement continued:
I have many a close association with members of the American Haitian community here in South Florida. The loss of life in such a tragic manner is horrendous and we must all do what we can to alleviate the pain and suffering of the people of Haiti.
I also want to commend the Men and Women of our Armed Forces who always make the transition from Warrior to benevolent protector in times of natural disaster. We all remember their service to the people of Indonesia after the tsunami and the people of Pakistan after the earthquake there. I ask that the people of Haiti welcome those who are truly the best America has to offer and not allow roving gangs to turn against those who seek to provide comfort, stability, and relief… as we saw in Somalia.
The small Nation of Haiti, part of the greater island of Hispaniola, has an incredible history. Haiti declared its independence on 1 Jan 1804 becoming the first independent Nation in Latin America. Haiti is the first post-colonial independent black led Nation in the world, and the only Nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Haiti is the only predominantly Francophone independent Nation in the Americas. Lastly, it is one of only two independent Nations, Canada the other, that designates French as an official language.
The revolution which occurred in Haiti was inspired by the French Revolution, which was inspired by the American Revolution. It was a revolution focused on freeing the indomitable human will.
Haiti must now be freed again. It must be freed from the enslavement that has resulted in being the poorest Nation in the Americas… one of the poorest and least developed in the world. It is an enslavement which has produced devastating illiteracy. It is an enslavement which has created a dependency whereby 30-40% of its government budget comes from foreign aid… it is an enslavement that has continually produced despots and failed leadership.
As we work to restore Haiti, the short term focus is indeed to provide relief and system infrastructure repair. However, in the long term let us be committed to rebuilding not just buildings, but the independent human will for which Haiti first sought freedom. Let our investment in Haiti be not just about giving them hammocks, but ladders in order to climb to greater achievement and provide a viable safety net when necessary.
I say let this earthquake result in the catalyst to recommit Haiti to a second Independence Day, 206 years after their first. As a future US Congressman that is my commitment to the people of Haiti, empowerment, not enslavement.
I ask, will the people of Haiti and American Haitians share that vision with me?
Faithful and True,
Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Ret.)
