IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 765 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 2, 2012 Ms. Clarke of New York (for herself, Mr. Rangel, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Engel, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. West, Mr. Rush, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Lee of California, and Mr. Towns) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the significance of the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago’s independence to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and supporting the goals and ideals of Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence Day.

Whereas, on August 31, 2012, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will celebrate their 50th anniversary of independence from Great Britain; Whereas Trinidad was under Spanish possession until it was ceded to Britain in 1802; Whereas Tobago was under British rule until 1814; Whereas the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago became one state in 1889 after being under European rule over 400 years prior to their independence; Whereas August 31, 1962, marks the full independence, sovereignty, and birth of a nation and is also the day that the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s raised its flag; Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s red, black, and white flag connects the nation's people to the past present and future; Whereas the red base of the flag represents the vigor of the land, the friendliness and courage of its people, and the sun; Whereas the black represents the unity and strength of the people, as well as the natural wealth of the country; Whereas the white represents the surrounding sea and the purity and equality of all people under the sun; Whereas the Honorable Doctor Eric Eustace Williams, known as the father of the nation and leader of the People’s National Movement governed from 1956 until his death in 1981 as the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; Whereas Trinidad and Tobago has a very rich cultural heritage that includes the invention of a world renowned Carnival, the steelpan drum, the only musical instrument invented within the 20th century, and musical styles such as Calypso, Soca, Chutney, and Limbo that are all national trademarks known and recognized across the world; Whereas the United States is home to a large Trinidadian and Tobagonian Diaspora community that has greatly contributed to the United States culture and history; Whereas prominent Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans like Larry Felix, the Director for the United States Engraving and Printing, activist in the civil rights movement and leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Stokely Carmichael, basketball Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, playwright Steve Carter, and actresses Tatyana Ali and Nia Long have contributed greatly to the social and political landscape of the United States; Whereas Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment opportunity for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in the Caribbean; Whereas Trinidad and Tobago is the leading producer of oil and gas in the Caribbean, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these natural resources; Whereas Trinidad and Tobago also supplies manufactured goods, notably food products and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region and has transitioned from an oil-based economy to a natural gas based economy; Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has become economically self sufficient and has continued to thrive independently over the past 50 years; and Whereas August 31, 2012, is recognized as Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives recognizes the significance of the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago’s independence to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and supports the goals and ideals of Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence Day.