[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  (Ms. Plaskett of the Virgin Islands was recognized to address the 
House for 5 minutes.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Caribbean-
American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the profound contributions 
of Caribbean Americans to our Nation's fabric.
  From our kitchens come flavors that have influenced American cuisine.
  Our music echoes across the mainland, starting with Caribbean-
American children in the late seventies in the Bronx founding what 
became hip-hop and rap music.
  Our entrepreneurs have built businesses. Our educators have shaped 
minds, and our artists have colored the American cultural landscape.
  Our military and revolutionary mindsets have given Americans Haitian 
troops during the Revolutionary War, Denmark Vesey during slavery, 
Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte during the civil rights movement, 
and Colin Powell for his shock and awe.
  We have produced judges, athletes, and public servants who carry 
forward the Caribbean values of hard work, family, and community.
  During this Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we honor not just 
Caribbean Americans, but the enduring spirit of a people who 
transformed challenge into opportunity, who preserved culture while 
embracing innovation, and who continue to strengthen America's promise 
of diversity and inclusion.


                            Rural Hospitals

  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a critical 
healthcare crisis facing the Virgin Islands. The proposed budget cuts 
threaten to devastate our already fragile rural hospital system, 
putting thousands of lives at risk.
  The Virgin Islands' remote geography makes our rural hospitals 
literal lifelines. When someone suffers a heart attack on St. John or 
faces a medical emergency on St. Croix, these facilities aren't just 
convenient options. They are the difference between life and death. 
Unlike mainland rural communities where one might drive 2 hours to 
reach alternative care, our residents face ocean crossings and weather-
dependent transportation.
  These proposed cuts would force closures of essential services. We 
are talking about dialysis centers, maternal health services, and 
trauma care that cannot simply be replaced by telemedicine or 
helicopter transport.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to remember that healthcare equity 
means ensuring that the ZIP Code, or in my case, the island I call 
home, doesn't determine whether you live or die. The Virgin Islands 
cannot afford to lose these vital healthcare anchors.


                           Women Veterans Day

  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the women veterans 
of the United States Virgin Islands on this Women Veterans Day. From 
the date that President Truman signed the Women's Armed Services 
Integration Act into law in 1948, Virgin Islands women have answered 
our Nation's call to service with unwavering dedication and courage.
  These remarkable women have served in every branch of our military. I 
think of the great Ruby Rouss, the first Black woman to be assigned 
permanently to the staff of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, among so many 
others, past and present.

                              {time}  1015

  Women veterans of the Virgin Islands and across our Nation represent 
the very best of our spirit. They have broken barriers, opened doors 
for future generations, and demonstrated that courage knows no gender.
  On this Women Veterans Day, we say to every woman veteran in our 
Nation: Your service matters. Your sacrifice is remembered, and your 
continued leadership makes us all stronger.

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