May 7, 2010
BOSTON – Today Representative Vinny deMacedo announced plans to travel to Haiti next week and join his fellow Massachusetts Legislators in surveying the earthquake damage that occurred last January. Representative deMacedo and other Legislators are anxious to learn how Massachusetts can best offer assistance to this struggling country.
The delegation will visit various sites throughout their six day trip including touring devastated areas and meeting with government officials from both Haiti and the United States on the status of current relief efforts. This developing country has endured tragedy, and faces insurmountable challenges. As an immigrant of the Cape Verdean Islands himself, Representative deMacedo felt he and the citizens of Massachusetts must do what they can to help the people of Haiti.
WHO: State Representative Vinny deMacedo and the delegation anticipate meetings with members of the Haitian government including:
Rene Preval, President of Haiti;
Edwin Paraison, Minister of Agriculture;
Patrick Delatour, Minister of Education;
Michel St. Croix, Mayor of Cap Haitian;
Along with representatives from agencies working in Haiti including:
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID);
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB);
The Red Cross;
And the United Nations.
WHEN: Arrival in Haiti on Sunday, May 9th, returning to Massachusetts
Saturday, May 15th
WHERE: Scheduled stops in Cap Haitian, Milot and Port-au-Prince
WHAT: Delegation will reinforce historical ties between Haiti and
Massachusetts and advocate for strengthening social and economic systems in Haiti.
