[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MIAMI/BAHAMAS GOOMBAY FESTIVAL BOARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2022

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, from the 24th District of the 
great State of Florida, I rise today to honor Fredrika S. Brown, Leona 
Cooper, and Herb Hiller who have served on the board of the Miami/
Bahamas Goombay Festival since its inception.
  The Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival is a celebration of cultural 
expression embracing the legacy of Miami's Bahamian-rooted community 
known as Coconut Grove. The three-day celebration strives to provide a 
historical overview of the American/Bahamian culture by educating and 
exposing the public to its rich heritage and traditions.
  The Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove is dedicated to 
recognizing, promoting and educating the residents of Miami-Dade County 
and tourists about the rich Bahamian and American Heritage and what 
makes this such a unique and positive blend.
  The board strives to provide a historical overview of the Bahamian 
Culture, the commemoration of the early Coconut Grove settlers, and to 
introduce their music, native food specialties, artifacts, and crafts 
that are indigenous of the island.
  The Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival is held to bring about unity and 
bridge a cultural gap by building communities through the understanding 
of each other's likenesses and differences.
  Since 1977, the Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival has celebrated the 
Bahamian culture of Miami-Dade County. The festival would not be 
possible without the hard work of the board who has stayed the course. 
I salute this effort and I am thankful to the Goombay Festival 
committee for keeping the rich culture of our Bahamian ancestors alive 
in Miami.

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