January 14, 2010

NBA NEWS BRIEF
National Bar Association, 1225 11th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20001

NBA STATEMENT REGARDING THE MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

WASHINGTON, DC (January 13, 2010) - The National Bar Association (NBA) released the following statement after learning of the massive devastation in Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Haitian people in the aftermath of this horrific event, which has left their country desolate, their homes in shambles, and their hopes deterred. The NBA extends its support as a collective body to its affiliate members in Haiti, and will continue to monitor the situation in Haiti. NBA President, Mavis T. Thompson stated, "We are all deeply saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti yesterday. The NBA will work with relief and other organizations to ensure that humanitarian and other assistance reaches the people of Haiti."

The TransAfrica Forum has outlined four immediate recommendations to aid Haiti in its recovery. As an organization, the NBA supports the call by the TransAfrica Forum to "Suspend Haitian Deportations and Grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS)," which suggests to the Homeland Security to "immediately halt the arrests of deportees and grant TPS to Haitians in the United States and conduct a full review of its policy towards Haiti."

To begin formulating a conserted effort, the NBA leadership will meet tonight with other representatives of the Black Leadership Forum, which is an umbrella group of over fifty organizations representing various constituencies within the African American community; specific action items will be shared with the membership in the days to come.

For more information about the status of U.S. citizens in Haiti, please contact the American Citizens Services at: 1-888-407-4747. It has been recommended that cash donations to an established relief organization in Haiti is the best way to help at this time, since destruction of ports, airports and roads will make the distribution of goods difficult. For more information about TransAfrica Forum's recommendations regarding aid to Haiti, please visit www.transafricaforum.org.

Founded in 1925, the National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominately African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. The organization seeks to advance the science of jurisprudence, preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession. For additional information about the National Bar Association, visit www.nationalbar.org.