[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EDITORIAL HAILS CARICOM CONFERENCE A SUCCESS BUT LEADERS NEED TO 
                               FOLLOW-UP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record an 
editorial by Tony Best published on June 23, 2008 in the New York Carib 
News, entitled: ``Caribbean Community Conference in New York Had Its 
Successes but Effective Follow-up Needed by CARICOM States and Their 
Leaders.''
  By all accounts, the Conference was a success. With the Caribbean 
leaders leaving New York having made powerful connections with the 
financial community and the New York Stock Exchange, one of the biggest 
successes was New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson's announcement 
that New York City pension funds will soon be investing in the region. 
There is also news of an expanded educational exchange and cooperative 
agreements between Medgar Evers College and the University of the West 
Indies.
  Despite the high hopes that are a result of the conference, there is 
some skepticism that Caribbean leaders will hold up their end of the 
bargain. ``One thing is certain: any success would depend on an 
efficient and well coordinated follow-up, something the region itself 
has failed to do on many occasions,'' says Tony Best, the New York 
Carib News editorial writer. Now that the conference is over, the ball 
lies in CARICOM's court and it is up to them to make sure that the 
relationships established during the meetings lead to tangible results 
in the Caribbean. I remain ready to do whatever I am able to facilitate 
the full flowering of the promising relationships that were established 
at the conference.

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