[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2735-H2738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of my 
Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  It is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special 
Order hour along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Sheila 
Cherfilus-McCormick.
  For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC will spotlight Caribbean 
American Heritage Month, a celebration of the significant impact 
Caribbean Americans have made in shaping our Nation.
  This occasion isn't just important to the CBC, Congress, and our 
constituents. It resonates deeply with all Americans.
  It is time to appreciate the enduring spirit of Caribbean Americans, 
whose influence spans across arts, sciences, politics, and 
entrepreneurship. We aim to heighten cultural awareness, honor the 
diverse Caribbean cultures, and acknowledge their ongoing 
contributions.
  Ultimately, Caribbean American Heritage Month reflects a vital piece 
of the American narrative that deserves recognition and understanding 
for all citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford), the 
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

                              {time}  1930

  Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Congressman Jackson 
from Illinois, and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for their 
leadership and for co-chairing tonight's Special Order hour.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues of the Congressional 
Black Caucus in commemoration of Caribbean Heritage Month.
  As we mark the 17th anniversary of Caribbean Heritage Month, I pay 
special thanks to Congresswoman Barbara Lee who led the effort in 
Congress to designate the month of June as Caribbean Heritage Month to 
make sure that we always honor the rich history and contributions of 
Caribbean Americans.
  As a point of personal pride, I am a son and a grandson of Caribbean 
immigrants. My mother and grandmother came to the United States from 
Trinidad and Tobago, and for me to now serve in this body to be able to 
represent the needs of my constituents and those of Caribbean heritage 
gives me great pride.
  It also reminds me of the great contributions, the curried chicken, 
the hot pepper sauce, the pelau, and so many other wonderful dishes 
that I have experienced growing up in my own household based on my 
Caribbean heritage, and the fact that Caribbean people contribute so 
much and have contributed so much to the foundation of this country and 
its success.
  This month, we are proud to recognize the millions of Caribbean 
Americans around our Nation who contribute every day to the fabric of 
our society in the arts, sciences, business, in sports, education, 
government, and those who serve in our military.
  Those who have made our country better with their gifts and their 
service like our very own Vice President Kamala Harris, others like 
W.E.B. Du Bois, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, 
Grace Jones, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Marcus 
Garvey, Usain Bolt, Sidney Poitier, and Harry Belafonte to name just a 
few.
  The Congressional Black Caucus--the conscience of the Congress--has 
been home to many Caribbean-American trailblazers since our founding in 
1971. One of these trailblazers is Shirley Chisholm, a Caribbean 
American and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus who 
became the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress and the 
first woman and African American to seek the nomination for President 
of the United States from one of our two major political parties.
  Many of our Members of Congress today are of Caribbean descent, 
including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Yvette 
Clarke, Delegate Stacey Plaskett, and our Special Order co-chair, 
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
  Now, more than 50 years after our founding, our Members have 
continued to shape consequential legislation from voting rights to 
civil rights, fair housing, and so much more, carrying on the tradition 
of Shirley Chisholm, who sought to make America live up to its promise 
that all are created equal, to challenge the idea of what was possible 
for Black Americans, and to ensure a future worthy of our struggle.
  This month and every month, the Congressional Black Caucus is proud 
to honor the unique and diverse cultures, languages, religions, art, 
literature, music, and cuisines from around the Caribbean diaspora 
because our Nation's diversity is our greatest strength.
  I am honored to join my colleagues tonight. I thank our co-chairs 
and, most importantly, our constituents who work so hard to contribute 
to this great Nation and to make it continue to live up to its promise.
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the honorable 
gentlewoman from the State of New York (Ms. Clarke).
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and 
colleague, Representative Jonathan Jackson, for yielding to me in 
commemoration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in commemoration and celebration of 
the designation of Caribbean-American Heritage Month during this month 
of June. I add my voice to those who have lauded Congresswoman Barbara 
Lee for her leadership in ensuring this designation 17 years ago.
  It is with an immense sense of pride in this special moment in the 
lives of those of us in communities across the Nation of Caribbean 
descent. For nearly two decades, this month has served as a cherished 
opportunity to honor the boundless contributions of Caribbean Americans 
to our Nation.
  From grass-roots activists, the first Black woman to run for 
President--the Honorable Shirley Chisholm--the first female Vice 
President--the Honorable Kamala Harris--to thought leaders, 
entertainers, entrepreneurs, diplomats, business moguls, Michelin-star 
chefs, and the brave, highly decorated members of our military, 
Caribbean Americans compose an integral part of our Nation's legacy, 
fabric, and future.
  It is indeed the honor of my life and the dream of my ancestors to be 
a woman of Jamaican descent representing my home and my community--the 
place where I was born and raised--and to carry the torch of my people 
in the United States Congress.
  As we acknowledge the excellence and contributions of Caribbean 
Americans, let this month remain a beacon for uplifting diversity, the 
preservation of legacy, the strength of unity, and the undeniable truth 
that we, the descendants of Caribbean peoples, are a force to be 
reckoned with, and that our culture and contributions deserve every 
acknowledgment and all the appreciation of a grateful Nation.
  From Jamaica to Barbados and every nation in between: Bless Up, One 
Love, Walk Good.

[[Page H2736]]

  

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable 
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for her remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-
McCormick).
  Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here to 
celebrate our Caribbean Heritage Month. It is also an honor to be here 
coanchoring with Jonathan Jackson from Illinois, and I say a very 
special thank you to our chairman for allowing us to be here and speak 
about all the accomplishments of Caribbean Americans.

  As both the first Haitian-American Democrat elected to Congress and a 
permanent member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am firmly 
committed to supporting strong U.S.-Caribbean ties. However, we cannot 
forget that the success of this global partnership depends directly on 
Haiti's prosperity and its ability to triumph in the face of 
challenges.
  Today, Haiti has found itself engulfed in chaos. The stability of the 
country and the preservation of its democratic institutions must remain 
of paramount importance to the United States.
  Last week, Guyana and the Dominican Republic issued a joint 
declaration emphasizing their commitment to enhancing bilateral 
relationships between their two countries. The reiteration of their 
commitment to address pressing challenges such as food insecurity, 
energy security, and climate change is inspirational, and as the United 
States, we must be doing the same.
  Both nations reaffirmed that Haiti is an important member of the 
Caribbean family of nations. They pledged the full support of their 
governments toward the achievement of political stability in Haiti. The 
regional commitment is to be applauded and continued.
  The ongoing situation in Haiti is far too unstable, and recognition 
on the world stage is vital as we work to bring an end to this crisis.
  It pains me to see Haiti in these times of struggle. The country now 
finds itself at one of the lowest points in its history, battling a 
surge of gang violence. Public health challenges, along with 
catastrophic hunger, stoke the flames of instability.
  As a neighbor, we have a responsibility to address this situation and 
respond accordingly.
  I am pleased that President Biden nominated Dennis Hankins, Foreign 
Policy Advisor to the National Guard Bureau, to serve as U.S. 
Ambassador to Haiti. This nomination demonstrates that the Biden-Harris 
administration recognizes America's role as an ally of Haiti to respond 
to the volatility of the situation today.
  Throughout Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we must continue to 
recognize the challenges that Haiti is currently grappling with and 
where our Nation can lend support in these efforts.
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her 
remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in recognizing 
and giving special commendation to Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
  From Shirley Chisholm to Malcolm X, from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke 
to Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, to the great W.E.B. Du 
Bois, to CBC chair, Mr. Steven Horsford, and to Sheila Jackson Lee, 
from the founder of the city of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Du Sable, to the 
great general in Haiti, Toussaint Louverture, here we are.
  People who come to this country from the Caribbean have helped to 
make America more vibrant and successful. This is because Caribbean 
Americans are some of the most creative and hardworking people in the 
world. This cannot be debated and most certainly cannot be denied.
  However, it is really the power of the Caribbean egalitarian spirit 
that has really helped to make America a better place. People who come 
from the Caribbean are raised in cultures that believe in family and 
faith, and they believe that all men and women are truly created equal.
  Because of the deep moral values at work in Caribbean culture, people 
who hail from this part of the world fundamentally believe that we are 
all God's children and that all of us deserve dignity and respect.
  This drive for excellence and the commitment to human dignity has 
continually given rise to some of the most extraordinary individuals, 
each of them adding to the possibilities of America and all of them 
expanding the reach of freedom and democracy in this remarkable 
country.
  This is why I am so glad that in 2005 this body passed legislation to 
officially make June Caribbean-American Heritage Month. When this body 
passed that legislation, it gave recognition to people who too long had 
been overlooked. However, today, we are righting that wrong. We are 
correcting the account, as it were. This is important because I believe 
that every community should be celebrated and that every heritage 
should be venerated and given the dignity that it deserves.
  Perhaps somebody needs to remind the Governor of Florida that when we 
celebrate the heritage of other people we are, in fact, celebrating 
ourselves.
  Somebody needs to remind the Governor of Florida that this country 
has relied on the diversity of its citizens in order to become the 
Nation we are today. Somebody needs to remind him that different does 
not mean deficient.

  It took a Caribbean American to lead the U.S. military to victory in 
the Iraq war by the name of Colin Powell. It was a Caribbean American 
who created a national banking system in this country by creating the 
Federal Reserve. It was a Caribbean American who made his home in 
Harlem and preached with such intensity and integrity that he gave 
African Americans the courage to be themselves.
  America is a garden comprised of many flowers. All of them are 
complicated, and all of them are beautiful in their own way. The 
texture, the colors, and the sizes may be different, but the radiance 
remains the same.
  No matter what white supremacy may try to say, the brightness of 
America is the consequence of a multiplicity of colors. We may speak 
different languages, we may come from different places, and we may eat 
different food, but we are all mortal, we are all dependent upon the 
benefits clean air and clean water, we all deserve to be loved, and we 
all want the best for our children.
  If we do not learn how to live together as brothers and sisters, then 
we shall surely perish together as fools.
  When we celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month, it is a 
veneration of the important and ongoing contributions of these 
significant Americans. It is by no means a denigration of anyone else.
  While it is true that we are all Americans, it is no less the case, 
however, that each of us brings something different to America. The 
capacity for difference is the thing that makes America successful and 
strong.
  What would this country be without Earl Graves and the great Harry 
Belafonte?

                              {time}  1945

  What would this country be like without Beyonce or Eric Holder, 
Cicely Tyson, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Mr. Sidney Poitier? 
All of them are descendants of the people who came to this country from 
the Caribbean.
  Caribbean Americans have shaped this Nation's culture and political 
direction since its founding, and thank God for it.
  Let us never forget those who live in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We 
also honor the Honorable Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. These are 
citizens of the United States. Yes, those in the Virgin Islands are 
citizens of America. They are a part of our country, they are a part of 
who we are, and they are no less helping to shape what we hope to 
become.
  They too sing America. They too desire to flourish. They too deserve 
the benefits of democracy. As much as anybody born in Boston or 
Atlanta, or as much as anyone living in Dallas or Little Rock, American 
citizens who live in the Virgin Islands are no less a part of who we 
are. They are a part of American story.
  The notes they bring to this concert of opportunity make the music 
sweet and worthy of our listening ears. I would invite my colleagues 
and Americans, more generally, to spend time in conversation with 
Caribbean Americans.
  When you do, you will discover that the love they have for this 
country, in

[[Page H2737]]

spite of its tortured history with the people from the Caribbean, is a 
remarkable manifestation of both courage and patriotism.
  In spite of this country's morbid preoccupation with racism and white 
supremacy, Americans of Caribbean descent have time and time again took 
their place in the dark shadows of war in order to fight for our 
Nation's freedom, and today we remember them.
  We speak well of their names. We give honor to those among them who 
died to make us free. How dare we not honor them? How dare we not sing 
their praises?
  As the Bible says: These are they that have come through the great 
tribulation, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
  They are as important to the fabric of this country as those who came 
from Europe and other places around the world. Therefore, it is 
altogether fitting that we enshrine their greatness and celebrate their 
heritage without restraint.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-
McCormick).
  Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
invaluable contributions of the South Florida Caribbean American 
community as we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month. This month 
provides us with a valuable opportunity to honor the rich culture and 
heritage and the remarkable accomplishments of the Caribbean Americans, 
particularly in South Florida.
  The Caribbean American community has played a significant role in 
shaping South Florida's identity. Today, the greater Ft. Lauderdale 
metropolitan area has one of the largest Caribbean migrant populations 
nationwide. South Florida is home to immigrants from many Caribbean 
countries, including Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, 
Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, among others.
  The vibrancy of the Caribbean culture touches every part of our 
region. We see it in action at spaces like Island SPACE Caribbean 
Museum in Plantation, which elevates the profile of Caribbean art, 
history, and culture throughout South Florida and the broader diaspora.
  We can taste it in the restaurants that dot our street corners, 
serving soul-warming jerk chicken and oxtails and all types of 
delectable items that we find remind us of our childhood kitchen 
tables.
  The Caribbean American community has long been an integral part of 
the economic fabric of South Florida, contributing to its prosperity. 
Caribbean Americans have opened their own businesses and created jobs, 
making South Florida a vibrant and thriving region.
  During this month, we must recognize challenges currently faced by 
Florida's Caribbean American community. Governor Ron DeSantis recently 
signed into law a cruel immigration law that pushes the American Dream 
further out of reach for Florida and immigrant communities.
  For immigrants seeking a better life in Florida, many of whom who 
have come to the U.S. for economic opportunities and fleeing violence, 
this law is most certainly a slap in their face.
  As we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month, let us always 
treat immigrants with the dignity they deserve and welcome them. 
Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to recognizing the immense and 
continued contribution of the Caribbean American community.
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shine a light 
on an often-overlooked chapter of our great Nation's history. As we 
gather here in the heart of our Republic, it is important to announce 
that the very fabric of our Nation was woven not only with the thread 
of our own courage and determination, but also with the substantial 
contributions of our neighbors.
  In this Special Order hour, I wish to recognize the invaluable 
contributions of the Caribbean, particularly Haiti, in shaping American 
history.
  During the tumultuous years of the American Revolution, while our 
forefathers were drafting the blueprints of this great Nation, Haiti, 
known then as French Saint-Domingue, was one of the wealthiest colonies 
in the world. It was the jewel of the French empire, a beacon of 
economic prosperity in the region. Their wealth, however, was built on 
the grim reality of a brutal slave society.
  This prosperous colony was our silent partner in the fight for 
independence. The French, in a bid to safeguard Saint-Domingue from 
British capture, provided considerable support to the American cause, 
to the tune of better than $9 billion in current U.S. dollars. This 
financial assistance was a decisive factor in our victory in the 
Revolutionary War.
  But it wasn't just monetary aid that the Haitian community provided 
America and its founding. Over 500 Haitians, free men of color, fought 
shoulder to shoulder with American colonists and French troops in 
pivotal battles such as the battle of Savannah in 1779.

  The colony also served as a vital transit point for arms, gunpowder, 
and supplies from France, a lifeline that often made the difference 
between victory and defeat.
  The irony is palpable. The fight for freedom in our own land was 
bolstered by a colony built on the brutal enslavement of individuals. 
These individuals later led a successful revolution of their own, 
resulting in Haiti becoming the second American nation to declare 
independence in 1804.
  Despite the early recognition and support from the United States, the 
Jefferson administration banned trade with the newly independent Haiti 
in 1806, a decision that greatly hindered Haiti's economic prospects.
  In light of recent crises in Haiti, I urge you to remember this 
intertwined history. Our fight for independence was supported, in part, 
by Haiti's resources and its people and their courage. We have a 
historical debt to Haiti, a moral obligation to assist in Haiti's 
recovery and long-term prosperity.
  Haiti does not come to us as a debtor. We are, in fact, a debtor to 
Haiti. Haiti is our creditor, having helped create our independence.
  As we navigate the labyrinth of our complex relations with the 
Caribbean, let us not forget the sacrifices made and the solidarity 
demonstrated by our Haitian brethren. In acknowledging this, we do not 
merely pay tribute to our shared past, but also set the stage for a 
future defined by mutual respect and collaboration.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-
McCormick).
  Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, as we recognize Caribbean 
American Heritage Month, I rise today to express my strong support for 
the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act. This bipartisan and 
bicameral legislation is an important step in holding accountable those 
who have fueled violence in Haiti, and it sends a clear message that 
America and Americans stand with the Haitian people.
  This bill, which I am proud to cosponsor with several of my 
colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would ensure the 
Secretary of State sanctions Haiti's economic and political elites who 
regularly use gangs as levers of power. This legislative body would 
receive regular reports on the nature of the relationship between 
Haiti's corrupt elite and the heinous gangs that they have colluded 
with.
  Recent headlines underscore just how grim the situation in Haiti has 
grown. As a result of the worsening gang violence, Haitians are now 
taking matters into their own hands. Many have turned to vigilante 
justice, using makeshift weapons to root out suspected gang members. At 
least 160 suspected gang members were killed between April 24 and May 
24.
  This is by no means a viable or a safe long-term solution to gang 
violence. Vigilante justice leaves open the potential for innocent 
individuals to be wrongfully characterized as criminals. Haiti's 
government must be equipped to deal with this reign of terror on its 
own, without depending on its citizens to take up arms.
  The Haiti Criminal Collusion Act, which has been endorsed by the 
National Haitian American Elected Officials Network here in the United 
States, is a desperately needed legislative solution that can assist 
our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
  By shining a spotlight on bad actors imposing sanctions on the worst 
offenders, the United States is sending a clear signal that it will not 
tolerate individuals who exploit their positions of power for personal 
gain, and that they will not tolerate individuals who terrorize the 
Haitian people.

[[Page H2738]]

  As we begin Caribbean American Heritage Month, I urge my colleagues 
to join me in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, you have heard from our 
distinguished colleagues about our interest in celebrating Caribbean 
American Heritage Month, all issues of great importance to the 
Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, Congress, and all 
Americans tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________