[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                UNITED CONFEDERATION OF TAINO PEOPLE DAY

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                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the taino 
people and the importance of observing the United Confederation of 
Taino People Day.
  The Taino people are the descendants of the first Native Peoples of 
the Americas to greet Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) in the 
year 1492, and have a distinctive spiritual and material relationship 
with the lands, territories, waters and coastal seas which they have 
traditionally been connected to, occupied and used from time 
immemorial.
  The Taino people have the collective and individual right to identify 
themselves as indigenous, to be recognized as such, and to practice, 
revitalize, develop and transmit to coming generations the past, 
present and future manifestations of their distinct identity, ethnic, 
cultural and spiritual traditions, history, language, and customs.
  The Taino people, beyond international and political borders, have 
taken positive steps for the recognition, promotion and protection of 
their collective and individual rights and freedoms, by organizing 
themselves for their spiritual, social, political, economic, and 
cultural enhancement.
  The Taino people, being represented by indigenous organizations, such 
as Caney Quinto Mundo, Concejo General de Tainos Borincanos, Fundacion 
Social Luz Cosmica Taina, Presencia Taina, Taino Ancestral Legacy 
Keepers, Ciboney Tribe, and Cecibajagua, have in solidarity chosen 
representatives themselves and established the United Confederation of 
Taino People.
  The United Confederation of Taino People is celebrating its first 
historic anniversary, which coincides with, and recognizes the United 
Nations International decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, and the 
equinox that signals the beginning of the planting cycle that the Taino 
People have observed for thousands of years.
  Mr. Speaker, March 27, 1999 is the United Confederation of Taino 
People Day. I encourage my colleagues and all of the people of the 
United States to observe that day with the respect and dignity it 
deserves and to learn more about the great contributions of this people 
to our country and civilization.

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