[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 110 (Thursday, June 26, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL 
                   CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2025

  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my resolution 
recognizing National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Caribbean 
Americans have enriched our nation through their contributions in the 
arts, sciences, education, business, sports, military, and government.
  Since before our nation's founding, millions have emigrated from the 
Caribbean to the United States. Today, more than 8 million Americans 
are either born in the Caribbean or have Caribbean ancestry. Among the 
many influential Caribbean Americans are: Kamala Harris, the first 
African-American Vice President; Colin Powell, the first African-
American Secretary of State; Eric Holder, the first African-American 
Attorney General; Karine Jean-Pierre, the first African-American White 
House Press Secretary; Deval Patrick, first African American Governor 
of Massachusetts; David Paterson, first legally blind and first African 
American to serve as Governor of New York State; Wes Moore, the first 
African American Governor of Maryland; Patrick Gaspard, labor union 
organizer and social justice advocate; Earl Graves, Sr, Founder of 
Black Enterprise; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball great and social 
activist; Marcus Garvey, Jamaican political activist and Pan-African 
leader.
  Caribbean Americans have made significant contributions to all 
aspects of society, including fine arts, education, business, 
literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, the 
military, music, science, medicine, engineering, and technology. They 
also share their vibrant culture through festivals, carnivals, music, 
dance, film, food, and literature, enriching the cultural landscape of 
the United States.
  Members of the Caribbean diaspora also have a longstanding legacy of 
economic contributions, both in the U.S. and in their countries of 
origin. Through monetary and social remittances, they play a vital role 
in supporting sustainable economic development in the Caribbean, with 
these contributions representing significant percentages of their home 
countries' GDP.
  I would also like to recognize Dr. Claire A. Nelson, Founding 
President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, as the chief architect 
behind the movement for the official proclamation of June as National 
Caribbean American Heritage Month. Dr. Nelson has convened a network of 
volunteer leaders through the National Caribbean American Heritage 
Month Commemorative Committee to ensure continued recognition and 
celebration of this important month.
  It is essential that Congress continues to acknowledge the invaluable 
contributions of Caribbean Americans to our nation's history and their 
role in shaping our future.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring National 
Caribbean American Heritage Month.