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Pelosi Discusses Haiti Crisis with Diaspora

Sandra Lemaire

   Arthur Jean Pierre contributed to this report from Washington

   WASHINGTON / MIAMI - In a landmark meeting with the Haitian community
   in Miami, Florida, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged to listen to
   Haitians and take their views into account in Congress' outreach to the
   Caribbean nation.

   "I love Haiti. I love the people of Haiti," Pelosi said Thursday. "And
   no matter how brutal the circumstances, whether it's a natural disaster
   or just injustice in the community, the love and shining eyes, the love
   of family the endless hope for a better future, it's just remarkable
   and different from other countries."

   Pelosi added, "They [Haitians] just never lose confidence in
   themselves. And we can't let that spark be any less than brighter and
   brighter."

   The speaker traveled to Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood to discuss
   Haiti's political crisis and hear the Haitian diaspora's concerns.
   Pelosi was joined by Florida Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson,
   whose district includes Little Haiti. Fourteen members of the
   Congressional Black Caucus also attended the meeting.

   Pelosi, whom Wilson introduced as "the most powerful woman in the
   world," received an enthusiastic welcome.

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