[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CARIBBEAN ECONOMIC CRISIS--IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES SUPPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to acknowledge 
the importance of the United States' presence in the Caribbean during 
these difficult economic times and to enter into the record an 
editorial from the Carib News by Basil Wilson entitled ``Jamaica and 
the World Economy.''
  As the world deals with the difficult economic challenges, there 
needs to be a renewed economic commitment to the Caribbean nations, who 
are also suffering from the spiraling effect of the weakened world 
economy.
  For many years, the United States has cultivated a relationship with 
the Caribbean that involved a strong history of generous remittances 
and a prospering reciprocal trade relationship. As a result, both the 
U.S. and the Caribbean have benefited.
  The United States must continue to uphold strong trading ties with 
the Caribbean islands to make certain their Gross Domestic Product is 
not greatly compromised. This is also not the time to decrease our 
level of relief efforts in the Caribbean community. We must understand 
that an economic decline in the First World results in an economic 
catastrophe in these Caribbean areas.
  As the world tries to gain control of the wavering economic calamity, 
let us not forget that our neighbors and friends in the Western 
Hemisphere are also dealing with the adverse effects of the global 
economy. It is especially during these times when there is a greater 
reliance on the Caribbean Diaspora's kindness and compassion to sustain 
the economic viability of their families. The U.S. government needs to 
be aware of the needs of the governments in the region for assistance 
in providing a necessary social safety net.

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