[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 71 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]


        H.Con.Res.71
                                     Agreed to February 14, 2006        

                       One Hundred Ninth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
             the third day of January, two thousand and six


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas people of Caribbean heritage are found in every State of the 
  Union;

Whereas emigration from the Caribbean region to the American Colonies 
  began as early as 1619 with the arrival of indentured workers in 
  Jamestown, Virginia;

Whereas during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number 
  of slaves from the Caribbean region were brought to the United 
  States;

Whereas since 1820, millions of people have emigrated from the 
  Caribbean region to the United States;

Whereas much like the United States, the countries of the Caribbean 
  faced obstacles of slavery and colonialism and struggled for 
  independence;

Whereas also like the United States, the people of the Caribbean region 
  have diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds;

Whereas the independence movements in many countries in the Caribbean 
  during the 1960's and the consequential establishment of independent 
  democratic countries in the Caribbean strengthened ties between the 
  region and the United States;

Whereas Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States and 
  the first Secretary of the Treasury, was born in the Caribbean;

Whereas there have been many influential Caribbean-Americans in the 
  history of the United States, including Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, 
  the pioneer settler of Chicago; Claude McKay, a poet of the Harlem 
  Renaissance; James Weldon Johnson, the writer of the Black National 
  Anthem; Shirley Chisolm, the first African-American Congresswoman and 
  first African-American woman candidate for President; and Celia Cruz, 
  the world renowned queen of Salsa music;

Whereas the many influential Caribbean-Americans in the history of the 
  United States also include Colin Powell, the first African-American 
  Secretary of State; Sidney Poitier, the first African-American actor 
  to receive the Academy Award for best actor in a leading role; Harry 
  Belafonte, a musician, actor, and activist; Marion Jones, an Olympic 
  gold medalist; Roberto Clemente, the first Latino inducted into the 
  baseball hall of fame; and Al Roker, a meteorologist and television 
  personality;

Whereas Caribbean-Americans have played an active role in the civil 
  rights movement and other social and political movements in the 
  United States;

Whereas Caribbean-Americans have contributed greatly to education, fine 
  arts, business, literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, 
  government, the military, music, science, technology, and other areas 
  in the United States;

Whereas Caribbean-Americans share their culture through carnivals, 
  festivals, music, dance, film, and literature that enrich the 
  cultural landscape of the United States;

Whereas the countries of the Caribbean are important economic partners 
  of the United States;

Whereas the countries of the Caribbean represent the United States 
  third border;

Whereas the people of the Caribbean region share the hopes and 
  aspirations of the people of the United States for peace and 
  prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and the rest of the 
  world; and

Whereas June is an appropriate month to establish a Caribbean-American 
  Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
        (1) a Caribbean-American Heritage Month should be established; 
    and
        (2) the people of the United States should observe the month 
    with appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and activities.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.