Presidential

President Martelly Meets with Haitian Community in the United States

MIAMI, USA - Saturday and Sunday, President of the Republic, Michel Martelly, embarked on a trip to the two major destinations where Haitians living abroad reside, Miami, Florida and New York, New York, both in the United States.

In Miami, on Saturday, the President was met by a crowd of supporters and donors at the campus of Florida International University. At this destination the President emphasized again that "no Haitian Child should be left behind" as he continues his quest to fund free education in Haiti.

The President also told the crowd that "Haiti means business" for millions of Haitians living abroad and that he would "defend dual nationality" to have that realized.

In the evening the President met with state and business leaders in Miami for a private reception. At this reception at the Soho Beach House, the President was given the keys to the city of Miami, by Mayor Thomas Regalado. Haiti is "open to investment" was the message to the business leaders as he urged to offer the world "all that is wonderful about Haiti, its economic and tourist potential."

On Sunday in New York City, the President was met by the Haitian Diaspora Federaton for a lunch and business fund-raising reception. The event, held at NYU, allowed members of the federation to present business plans to the President for rebuilding Haiti and its economy.

The President said "we will protect your investments, don't wait... [the] opportunities are there, my job is to help you succeed." The President told the attendees "don't wait for Haiti to be good, unite yourselves and come back to help me rebuild the country." Again, the President did assure the attendees regarding constitutional amendments, "we owe you the double nationality and you will have it."

Martelly reminded attendees that "with the phone and transfer fees, we will school the kids that were left behind. Today, over 500,000 are out of school."

After the reception the President met with National Basketball Association (NBA) player Samuel Dalembert at his foundation where photos were taken. Dalembert would later say, "we could not choose a better President to represent Haiti."

The President communicated via telephone with representatives of the emerging Haitian community in Atlanta, Georgia but the trip would be capped off at KreyolFest in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

The President was well received by a crowd of thousands. It was reported by HaitiXChange that even with all the current bands present at the event, it was the President's appearance that stole the show.

Related 06.25.2011: Martelly: "I will defend dual nationality because it's good for Haiti"
Related 06.24.2011: President Martelly Official Visit to South Florida
Related 06.21.2011: Martelly Launches Health Week in Haiti, Travels to U.S. for Routine Check-up
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