[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO CARLOS LEZAMA, FATHER OF THE LABOR DAY CARNIVAL IN BROOKLYN

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                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 2007

  Ms. CLARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to a great 
American, a role model, leader, innovator and certainly one of the 
finest gentlemen in the history of my home state of New York.
  I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Carlos 
Lezama, the Father of Brooklyn's world-famous West Indian-American 
Labor Day Carnival.
  Carlos Lezama was born of humble beginnings in the Caribbean nation 
of Trinidad & Tobago.
  What is now the largest outdoor summer festival in the United States 
began over 40 years ago as a small celebration of Caribbean immigrants 
in Harlem. It was initially held each February to coincide with 
Carnival celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago. As the wintry weather 
typical of New York in February began to impact the nascent 
celebration, Mr. Lezama moved Carnival to Labor Day Weekend and 
relocated the festivities to Brooklyn, in the heart of the eleventh 
Congressional District. Under Carlos' guidance and innovation, 
Brooklyn's Labor Day Carnival has grown to attract more than four 
million participants every year from all walks of life across the city 
and across the Nation.
  Carlos molded a nostalgic longing for ``the old country'' into an 
integral part of the fabric of New York City. For immigrant families 
like my own, Labor Day Carnival has always been a source of pride. Its 
very existence says there is a place for me in this great Nation; my 
parents are Caribbean-Americans who emigrated from Jamaica to this 
country in search of the American dream. The success of Labor Day 
Carnival and Mr. Lezama himself is a testament to the promise of 
America.
  Carlos Lezama passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2007. As he joins 
the ancestors, it is my honor to salute him. A great son of Trinidad 
and Tobago and a great American; Carlos Lezama will be sorely missed.

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