[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1521-E1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ACKNOWLEDGING AFRICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE IN 
                          ALL OF THE AMERICAS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. WILLIAM J. JEFFERSON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
175 and extend my thanks to my friend from New York for bringing this 
resolution before the House. The dark, sordid history of slavery in 
this country continues to reverberate throughout society--economically, 
culturally, socially. What too many in our country do not know is that 
the enslavement of Africans was a tragedy throughout this hemisphere, 
not just in the United States. This important resolution shines a 
bright light on the injustices suffered by the descendants of the 
transatlantic slave trade throughout the Americas, and particularly in 
Latin America and Caribbean. The United States must join with the 
international community to improve the living conditions of and to 
empower the Afro-Latino communities throughout the Americas.
  As a result of the slave trade and immigration, approximately 
80,000,000 to 150,000,000 persons of African descent live in Latin 
America and the Caribbean, representing the largest concentration of 
persons of African ancestry outside of Africa. Individuals of African 
descent are a vital part of the population and economy of almost every 
country in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, 
Uruguay, and Venezuela. By way of example, Brazil has the largest 
population of Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean, yet, 
tragically, only one in three Afro-Brazilians attend secondary schools.
  Although Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean have 
made significant economic, social, and cultural contributions to their 
respective countries, a large percentage of these Afro-descendants 
community live in extremely poor conditions, in marginal communities 
with little or no access to education, healthcare, equal employment. As 
a result, Afro-descendants have shorter life expectancies, higher 
infant mortality rates, higher incidences of HIV/AIDS, higher rates of 
illiteracy, and lower incomes than do other populations. Afro-
descendants, for instance, account for about 30 percent of the Latin 
American population, yet make up over 60 percent of its poor. Afro-
descendants also have extreme high rates of suicide and homicide.

  We, as African-Americans, share similar histories and civil rights 
struggles and experience similar disparities with Afro-descendants in 
Latin America and the Caribbean. In recognizing this, we are also 
recognizing that America shares similar experience with our neighbors 
in the Hemisphere.
  While we have taken strides to address racial and ethnic disparities 
here in the United States, our struggle continues. Unfortunately, in 
Latin America and the Caribbean, similar transformations and 
recognitions of the need to address many of these racial and ethnic 
disparities have yet to occur.
  Today, with this important resolution, we demonstrate our solidarity 
and we confirm our commitment to help facilitate these transformations 
in Latin America. Supporting this Resolution is a mutually-beneficial 
goal for those of us in the United States and those populations 
residing to our neighboring South. Creating economic opportunities, 
expanding growth, eliminating racial and ethnic disparities leads to 
greater stability and democracy in the Hemisphere.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to again thank my friend and 
colleague from New York, Mr. Rangel, for his leadership in bringing 
this

[[Page E1522]]

historic resolution to the floor. However imperfect, ours is a nation 
of laws committed to equal justice for all. That commitment has never 
ended at the border, and it certainly should extend to our neighbors 
throughout the Americas. This resolution reminds us to heed the sage 
words Dr. King wrote from the Birmingham jail 42 years ago: ``Injustice 
anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.''
  Let us remember that wisdom as we cast our votes for this resolution.

                          ____________________