[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1369, 
which recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American 
Heritage Month. Since June of 2006, the White House has issued an 
annual proclamation recognizing June as the national Caribbean-American 
Heritage Month. Caribbean's have made important contributions in all 
facets of American life from the arts to athletics, science and 
service.
  Actors Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte and Journalist Malcolm 
Gladwell are Caribbean-Americans who have achieved greatness in their 
careers as well as in their communities as humanitarians and activists.
  Mr. Poitier, Mr. Belafonte, and Mr. Gladwell have not only paved the 
way for their fellow Caribbean-Americans, but also for many other 
Americans who aspire to be musicians, journalists, actors and agents of 
change. For the past 50 years, Poitier has been an example to all 
Americans because of the work he did to help break down barriers in 
film and cinema. Poitier was recently awarded the 2009 Presidential 
Medal of Freedom because of his post-Hollywood activities. Belafonte 
has earned the title ``King of Calypso'' for popularizing Caribbean 
style music. Belafonte was also recently awarded the Hubert H. Humphrey 
Civil and Human Rights Award for his lifelong efforts for equality and 
justice. Malcolm Gladwell is a best-selling author who TIME magazine 
recognized in 2005 as one of the 100 most influential people in the 
world. His works have shown us the importance of looking at life with a 
critical eye and finding the small factors that have large consequences 
in our lives.
  Because of their fame, Mr. Poitier, Mr. Belafonte and Mr. Gladwell 
have been properly recognized on multiple occasions; but it is 
imperative that we recognize the Caribbean-American Community as a 
whole because the diversity and talent they bring to the United States 
enriches and strengthens our country.

                          ____________________