[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1445-E1446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of Caribbean 
Heritage Month and in particular to bring to the forefront the island 
nation of the Dominican Republic which is the country of origin of and 
home to thousands of my constituents in northern Manhattan. As is the 
case with Puerto Rico, also the land of origin of a sizable part of my 
constituents, these islands are indeed in the Caribbean although in the 
Spanish speaking minority. I am calling upon all of the nations of the 
Caribbean regardless of the differences among them to come together 
especially in these times and form a solidarity which cannot be broken. 
It is through the common bonds of

[[Page E1446]]

experience and tragedy that the lasting relationships of this world 
have been founded. The Caribbean itself is no stranger to struggle and 
tragedy regardless of what language they may speak. All of these 
nations have experienced the exploitations of slavery, the annihilation 
of its indigenous people and the colonization of a world power--yet 
they are still standing and striving to develop economies that can 
sustain development and compete under the new rules of globalization.
  It is this common bond of fortitude and resilience that must be 
recognized and cherished. Nonetheless in an effort to solidify, we have 
become divisive. Something as powerful as language is often used as a 
tool to divide. The variety of cultures found within the Caribbean 
should not be used as boxes to contain the cultures of nations but 
rather as connecting bonds that will link them in a chain that will 
anchor their nations as a whole.
  I call upon the Dominican Republic to be a leader in the Spanish 
speaking Caribbean and to pick up the torch to set ablaze the cauldron 
of solidarity amongst the Caribbean. Being Caribbean transcends the 
lines of language and ethnicity to the broader scope of history and 
culture. From the food--arroz y habichuelas or rice and peas, to the 
music--reggaeton or reggae, everywhere one can see the bonds that unite 
us. I believe that the Dominican Republic, as well as the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, is in a strategic position to initiate this dialogue 
and I urge them to lead.

                          ____________________