[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 41ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF TRINIDAD AND 
                                 TOBAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
Trinidad on the forty-first anniversary of her Independence and the 
169th anniversary of emancipation in Trinidad and Tobago and the 
Caribbean.
  Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S. have long enjoyed a prosperous 
relationship that has hinged upon interests in investment, trade, and 
regional security. Often noted for holding one of the largest and most 
elaborate Carnival celebrations in the world, there is much to know 
about how this small island nation evolved and has come to be such a 
great friend to our nation.
  Trinidad was settled by the Spanish a century after Columbus landed 
there. The original inhabitants--Arawak and Carib Indians--were largely 
wiped out by the Spanish colonizers, and the survivors were gradually 
assimilated. Although it attracted French, free Black, and other non-
Spanish settlers, Trinidad remained under Spanish rule until the 
British captured it in 1797. During the colonial period, Trinidad's 
economy relied on large sugar and cocoa plantations.
  Tobago's development was similar to other plantation islands in the 
Lesser Antilles and quite different from Trinidad's . The smaller 
island of the pair, Tobago became known first as Tavaco, then Tabagua, 
then as Tobago. This was the name given by its tribal people who used a 
long stemmed pipe in which they smoked a herb called Vcohiba, known 
today as tobacco.
  During the colonial period, French, Dutch, and British forces fought 
over possession of Tobago, and the island changed hands 22 times--more 
often than any other West Indian island. Tobago was finally ceded to 
Great Britain in 1814. Trinidad and Tobago were incorporated into a 
single colony in 1888.
  Trinidad became an oil economy in the 20th century. Oil was 
discovered in the Guayguaygare, Point Fortin, and Forest Reserve areas 
in Trinidad. Over time oil and oil related exports came to dominate the 
economy.
  The establishment of U.S. bases on the island in 1941 in exchange for 
50 destroyers which at the time was sorely needed by an overstretched 
Britain, resulted in the construction of numerous roads. Additionally, 
the G.I.s injected American culture and money into a stagnant economy 
and shifted the focus of the country from Britain to the U.S.
  In the 1950s, the British sponsored the West Indies Federation as a 
potential post-colonial model, in the belief that most of the Caribbean 
islands would be unable to survive politically or economically on their 
own. The Caribbean peoples thought otherwise and the Federation 
collapsed in the early 1960s.
  In Trinidad and Tobago a movement was being born in the 1950s. After 
receiving his Ph.D. and serving as assistant professor at Howard 
University, Eric Williams returned to Trinidad and Tobago and formed 
the People's National Movement (PNM), a political party of which he 
became the leader. In September of 1956, the PNM won the national 
elections and he became the chief minister of the country from 1956 to 
1959, premier from 1959 to 1962, and prime minister from 1962 to 1981. 
During his term as prime minister, Williams led Trinidad and Tobago 
into full independence within the Commonwealth in 1962. Eric Williams 
is considered the father of Trinidad and Tobago. He died in office on 
March 29, 1981.
  After its 1962 independence, Trinidad joined the United Nations and 
the Commonwealth. In 1967, it became the first Commonwealth country to 
join the Organization of American States (OAS). A U.S. embassy was 
established in Port of Spain in 1962, replacing the former consulate 
general. Today, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago remains a stable 
government with close ties and a working relationship to the United 
States.
  Evidence of government stability is represented in the fact that U.S. 
investment in Trinidad and Tobago exceeds one and one-quarter billion 
dollars. In addition, Trinidad and Tobago is becoming the leading 
importer of liquefied natural gas to the U.S. It also is active in the 
U.S.-initiated Summit of the Americas process and fully supports the 
establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
  With a population of 1.2 million people and the size of the state of 
Delaware, Trinidad and Tobago maintains strong relations with its 
Caribbean neighbors as well. As the most industrialized and second-
largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago 
has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community and Common Market 
(CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts.
  The two countries also share its people and culture. There are large 
numbers of U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Trinidadian origin 
living in the United States. These individuals keep strong cultural 
ties to their country of origin. About 20,000 U.S. citizens visit 
Trinidad and Tobago on vacation or for business every year, and over 
2,700 American citizens are residents. In addition, Trinidad like 
carnivals are held in numerous cities across the U.S. with a major 
celebration occurring in Brooklyn every Labor Day of which Trinidadians 
have played an integral role in sustaining.
  The Trinidadian, Jessie Wardell was responsible for obtaining the 
first street permit to celebrate Carnival outdoors on Lenox Avenue in 
Harlem. Trinidadian, Rufus Gorin, moved the Carnival to Brooklyn where 
he paired with the Trinidadian, Carlos Lezama, and formed the West 
Indian American Day carnival Association (WIADCA), which for over 
thirty years has participated in attracting millions of people to New 
York to participate in the largest Carnival celebration in the U.S.
  I take great pleasure in reflecting upon the magnitude of Trinidad 
and Tobago's contribution to New York City, our nation, and the world 
and expressing my personal appreciation for the association I have had 
with her people over the years. I salute the republic of Trinidad and 
Tobago and her accomplishments and ask that you join me in honoring her 
as she celebrates her 41st Anniversary.

                          ____________________