[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caribbean-American 
Heritage Month and the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to this 
Nation. Since 2006, the United States has celebrated the rich and 
diverse history of Caribbean-American peoples and the many successes of 
Caribbean-Americans during the month of June.
  Parallels have often been drawn between the history of the United 
States and that of Caribbean nations. Like America, Caribbean nations 
saw the need to resist tyrannical European leadership and create new 
democracies.
  The first Caribbean immigrants came to America in 1619 as indentured 
servants in Jamestown, and since then have played an increasingly large 
role in American society and in the lives of Americans. Since 1820, 
millions of people have immigrated to the United States from the 
Caribbean region, and now Americans of Caribbean descent reside in all 
fifty states of the Union.
  Since our Nation's inception, Caribbean-Americans have played 
important roles in every aspect of American life. Alexander Hamilton, a 
founding father and the first Secretary of the Treasury, was a 
Caribbean immigrant. Other notable Caribbean-Americans include Colin 
Powell, a former four-star general and Secretary of State, Shirley 
Chisholm, the first black candidate for president and the first woman 
to run for the Democratic nomination, Eric Holder, the current Attorney 
General, Sydney Poitier, the first African-American to win the Academy 
Award for best actor, and Stokely Carmichael, a black power activist.
  Throughout the years, Caribbean-American culture has become engrained 
in American society, but has managed to remain distinct and unique. 
Caribbean-American music, language, literature, film, food, festivals, 
and culture are enjoyed by all Americans.
  Without a doubt, the influence of Caribbean-Americans on American 
culture has been great.
  I respect and admire all that Caribbean-Americans have done for the 
United States in the past and in the present, and I look forward to the 
continued flourishing of Caribbean-American culture.

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