[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight June as 
Caribbean American Heritage Month. This month allows us to celebrate 
the diversity and influence of the Caribbean diaspora.
  As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Subcommittee on the 
Western Hemisphere, we must ensure the prosperity of the Caribbean.
  Just recently, I co-led a bipartisan resolution with Representatives 
Lawler, Cherfilus-McCormick, and Salazar to redouble our diplomatic 
efforts with Haiti. This resolution also expresses support in achieving 
Haitian-centered solutions that restore the island's political 
infrastructure and address the basic needs of its people. We cannot 
ignore the plight of our neighbors who are just mere miles from our 
shore.
  Caribbean Americans have helped define the American story. Many of 
them serve here with me in Congress, and many more have had important 
roles throughout our country's history.
  As a Representative of Los Angeles, I am fortunate to live in a 
culturally vibrant city where Caribbean Angelenos influence the food, 
music, and art of the city.

  This month is about celebration of culture and community and reminds 
us to look beyond the European patriarchal lens that dominates our 
society. The U.S. is a country of immigrants, something the Governor of 
Florida could stand to remember.


                     Gun Violence Prevention Month

  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, June is Gun Violence Prevention 
Month. June is Gun Violence Prevention Month. June is Gun Violence 
Prevention Month. So why, in this full body, are we not talking about 
the gun violence epidemic that has taken hold of this country?
  Why is the Republican Party punting on this issue and continuing to 
blame gun violence solely on mental health and ignorantly say that the 
answer to gun violence is more guns?
  The parents of the children killed by mass shootings, the survivors 
of these mass shootings don't want or deserve to continue to hear that. 
They deserve acknowledgment, honesty and, most of all, they deserve 
action.
  They deserve a Republican Party that cares as much about this issue 
as they do stove tops which, when you think about it, is incredibly 
painful and disrespectful.
  Republicans seem to want to talk about everything except gun 
violence, everything except gun violence, everything except gun 
violence, and that silence, that silence on this issue is tantamount to 
blaming the victims. That failure to act is equivalent to disregarding 
these victims' lives and dismissing their deaths.
  Mr. Speaker, June is Gun Violence Prevention Month. June is Gun 
Violence Prevention Month, so let's act like it.

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