I would like to take a moment to share with you my thoughts about a day I know is difficult for many of us. Each one of us in the Diaspora felt the magnitude of the earthquake.

We remember our sense of anguish. In less than a minute, lives of brothers, sisters, friends, colleagues and family members were lost. On this January 12, at 4:53 p.m., I will take a moment to quietly honor our fallen. My humble request is that wherever you are, whomever you are with, I ask that you to pause in remembrance.

Pause for the lives lost;

Pause for the families who still mourn;

Pause for our country that is still rebuilding;

Pause for American families who also lost loved ones.

Today, we reflect quietly and we pay homage to our fallen. At the Embassy, our flag will fly at half-mast as a tribute to those who perished in the earthquake. In the days that follow, in their name, we return to our labor and we vow to continue working tirelessly building on our progress.

I would like to take this time to thank each of you in the U.S. and in our global family, who stood and remained by our side. At this time, I also call upon Haiti’s sons and daughters in the U.S. to continue that spirit of engagement.

Finally, on behalf of President Martelly and the Government of Haiti, I wish you peace and good health.

Respectfully,
Ambassador Paul G. Altidor