[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 102 (Friday, June 22, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
passage of House Concurrent Resolution 148 which declares June as 
National Caribbean American Heritage Month. I am honored to be a 
cosponsor of this bill because it recognizes the contributions of 
Caribbean Americans to the social, economic and cultural landscape to 
the United States of America. The West Indies represents a diverse 
melting pot with each island bringing its own unique enriching element 
to this country's background. With approximately 34 million people and 
16 independent nations sharing an African ethnic heritage, the 
Caribbean is a cosmopolitan region.
  Some may wonder, what are we really celebrating during Caribbean 
Heritage Month? What makes these dynamic groups of people so distinct? 
Since the 17th century, West Indian slaves were shipped to the 
Americas. The Caribbean region continued to suffer slavery's wrath long 
after its abolition. Colonialism continued to strangle the region's 
independence, creating fragmented and dependent economies. However, in 
just over 40 years of independence, the region has established 
democratic governments and strengthened ties with the United States. 
Despite extenuating circumstances, these former colonies are now rising 
states which continue to infuse American mainstream culture.
  According to the 2005 American Community Survey, some 2.2 million 
American residents have a West Indian background. Moreover, 
approximately 32 percent of the Caribbean-American population is 
currently enrolled in college or graduate school, and 33 percent of the 
West Indian population is employed in educational, health care, and 
social services. In my home state of Florida, there is an estimated 
649,000 Caribbean Americans. Approximately 30 percent of this 
population is currently enrolled in college or graduate school and 25 
percent are employed in educational, health care, and social services.
  Large, dynamic and remarkable communities with Caribbean ancestry 
exhibit this diversity in Florida's 23rd Congressional District. I am 
so privileged to represent people of virtually every single Caribbean 
heritage. From Lauderhill to Miramar to West Palm Beach to Oakland 
Park, I am honored to work on behalf of all of these communities and 
many more. There are approximately 153,000 Caribbean Americans 
currently residing in Florida's 23rd District. The Haitian community is 
one of the largest in the United States. In Broward County, Puerto 
Ricans comprise the largest Caribbean group at more than 50,000.
  Furthermore, the second largest concentration of Cubans in the United 
States is in Broward County, with approximately 50,000 Cuban-American 
residents. Palm Beach County has the sixth largest concentration of 
Cuban-American residents in the United States, with more than 25,000 
Cuban-American residents. Moreover, about 25,000 Palm Beach County 
residents are of Puerto Rican descent, and more than 7,500 are of 
Dominican descent.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Caribbean American Heritage Month's 
declaration attests to the United States' reception to Caribbean 
influence in our country's history and its present socio-economic 
structure. Undeniably, the educational, political, and artistic 
influences of Caribbean Americans continue to permeate several facets 
of our society. The American spirit is a tapestry that weaves cultures 
together, one in which people of all traditions and walks of life 
convene to better protect and educate one another. The Caribbean-
American people are an invaluable part of this tapestry.

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