[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1167-E1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NEW YORK'S CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY--CONCERNS AND OPPORTUNITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 3rd I had the pleasure to 
attend an event sponsored by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion 
Jr., NY CaribNews, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development 
Corporation. The event was entitled Caribbean NYC: The Future is Today, 
and it brought together hundreds of individuals to discuss issues of 
importance to New York's ever-growing Caribbean community.
  Issues such as immigration policy, entrepreneurship, and Caribbean 
natural disaster relief, were discussed at the event and served to 
remind those in attendance of the ties that bind the Caribbean 
population of New York, and the opportunities that we have yet to 
exploit.
  Without question, the New York City area holds the largest Caribbean 
population in the United States. The metro area boasts approximately 
1.5 million Spanish Caribbean residents, including nearly 900,000 
Puerto Ricans, and 600,000 Dominicans. According to the CUNY Albany, 
the Dominican population alone grew over 70 percent from 1990-2000. The 
New York area also encompasses more than 800,000 residents from the 
English-speaking Caribbean, a population which grew over 40

[[Page E1168]]

percent in the last decade. In New York City itself, three of the top 
five immigrant groups are from the Caribbean: Dominican Republic (Ist), 
Jamaica (3rd), Guyana (4th).
  Though Caribbean New Yorkers may speak with different accents and 
languages, and have cultural practices unique to each, they all share a 
desire to succeed in this country. Their unbreakable work ethnic and 
entrepreneurial spirit has provided a cornerstone for our city's growth 
and success for more than half a century.
  This entrepreneurial spirit can be found throughout our city. One 
example is the story of Lowell Hawthorne, and the ``Golden Krust`' food 
franchise. The company, which specializes in making Jamaican patties, 
started 15 years ago in a small bakery in the Bronx, and has since 
expanded into a chain of 80 franchises throughout the New York area. 
The company now has plans to expand across the East Coast, before going 
nationwide. If Golden Krust stays with their plan the Jamaican pattie 
may one day become as omnipresent in America as the hamburger, pizza, 
or taco. The entrepreneurial spirit of this community will only grow, 
as they become increasingly integrated into the socio-economic fabric 
of our city.

  Another factor which binds the Caribbean community is their common 
concern for their home nations. The Caribbean continues to face many 
critical issues related to natural disasters, economic development, and 
HIV/AIDS. The U.S. Government has sought to assist in addressing this 
issue, but more is needed.
  Several hurricanes and tropical storms hit nations across the 
Caribbean in the 2004 hurricane season causing billions of dollars in 
damage, and killing thousands.
  I was joined by other members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 
urging the Bush Administration and Congress to maximize their Caribbean 
Hurricane relief effort. These disasters caused long-term damage to the 
agricultural and tourism sectors of the region, so it will continue to 
require our assistance moving forward. In addition, recent reports by 
U.S. government sources have predicted that the 2005 Hurricane season 
will likely be worse than 2004, so the U.S. must stand ready to 
adequately assist our neighbors in what promises to be a trying 
hurricane season.
  We must also closely examine how our policies might hinder the 
region's recovery. One such hindrance is the Bush Administration's 
proposed Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The initiative, which 
will require all travelers to and from the Caribbean, and Bermuda to 
have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States, is being 
imposed on the Caribbean before other regions in the Hemisphere.
  With a large percenage of U.S. visitors to the Caribbean not 
utilizing a passport when they travel, it can be expected that the new 
requirements will have a negative impact on Caribbean tourism, as many 
U.S. tourists may choose vacation options that entail less hassle.
  In addition, the U.S. must continue to increase non-emergency 
assistance. Though U.S. assistance to the Caribbean has increased in 
recent years, it still lags behind the amounts given to the Caribbean 
during the 1980's. The Cold War is over, but the Caribbean still faces 
many threats to its development and security.
  The growing impact of narco-trafficking is increasingly evident, and 
will continue unless the U.S. continues to help the Caribbean in its 
development objectives. Equally important is the ability of the 
Carribbean to keep its borders secure in the post 9-11 environment. 
With these countries burdened by slow economic development, and annual 
crises arising from natural disasters, they will be increasingly hard 
pressed to invest in the border security measures which hold 
implications for them and United States.
  The United States must also continue to help the Caribbean wage the 
war against HIV/AIDS, as the epidemic in the region continues to grow. 
Infection rates are among the highest outside of sub-Saharan Africa, 
and an estimated 430,000 people in the region are living with HIV. Many 
experts have predicted that this will significantly retard the economic 
and political growth of the region if it continues on its present 
course. Overall U.S. HIV assistance to the Caribbean is estimated at 
$53 million for 2005, but this is largely due to the two Caribbean 
nations that are covered by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief (PEPFAR).
  As such, more countries in the region, besides Haiti and Guyana, 
should be placed under the PEPFAR program. There has been activity in 
Congress to bring about this result, but legislation has yet be 
approved.
  Again, I thank the organizers of the Caribbean NYC event; it not only 
illuminated the great strides that have been taken by the Caribbean 
Community in New York, but also the need for the U.S. to remain 
committed to assisting the Caribbean region--a region near to our 
shores and to our hearts.

                          ____________________