[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN AMERICANS

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
the Congressional Black Caucus to honor Caribbean American Heritage 
Month and to express my appreciation to the multiples of talent in the 
Caribbean-American community.
  Over the last decade, there have been approximately 4.5 million 
members of the Caribbean-American community. Of course, two of those 
who I am most proud of are my late grandmother and grandfather, Mr. and 
Mrs. Jackson, who migrated from Jamaica, West Indies.
  My grandfather worked on the Panama Canal. What an emotional 
experience to go to the Panama Canal and see his name, Alfred Jackson, 
listed with those who have worked on the canal.
  I also had the privilege of attending the funeral of one of Jamaica's 
iconic Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Manley, who is beloved around 
the nation.
  Let me salute the Caribbean-American community in Houston, Texas, 
rich and inviting with their wonderful culture, cuisine, and, yes, the 
brilliance that they serve in public service, medicine, education, 
and business.

  This is a great moment to be able to celebrate the richness of our 
diversity in this country. I can assure you, we have often said that we 
are a melting pot, but really, we are a mosaic. The pieces fit together 
where all of us are distinguished but yet part of America--part of 
America's democracy, part of America's work ethic, and part of 
America's freedom.
  I salute my Caribbean-American friends and kinship. God bless you.

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