[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16273-16277]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ACKNOWLEDGING AFRICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE IN 
                          ALL OF THE AMERICAS

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 175) acknowledging African 
descendants of the transatlantic slave trade in all of the Americas 
with an emphasis on descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean, 
recognizing the injustices suffered by these African descendants, and 
recommending that the United States and the international community 
work to improve the situation of Afro-descendant communities in Latin 
America and the Caribbean, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 175

       Whereas during Black History Month it is important that we 
     not forget that African-Americans are not the only survivors 
     of the transatlantic slave trade;
       Whereas like the United States, many European nations 
     benefited greatly from the colonization of Latin America and 
     the Caribbean and their participation in the slave trade;
       Whereas the story of African descendants in all of the 
     Americas remains untold, leading them to be forgotten, made 
     invisible, and allowed to suffer unjustly;
       Whereas it is important to acknowledge that as a result of 
     the slave trade and immigration, approximately 80,000,000 to 
     150,000,000 persons of African descent live in Latin America 
     and the Caribbean, making them the largest population of 
     persons of African descent outside of Africa;
       Whereas Afro-descendants are present in most all Latin 
     American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, 
     Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, 
     Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela;
       Whereas the size of Afro-descendant populations vary in 
     range from less than 1 percent in some countries to as much 
     as 30 percent in Colombia and 46 percent in Brazil and make 
     up the majority in some Spanish speaking Caribbean nations, 
     such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic;
       Whereas Afro-descendant populations have made significant 
     economic, social, and cultural contributions to their 
     countries and the Western Hemisphere from their unfortunate 
     involvement in the transatlantic slave trade to their recent 
     contributions to trade, tourism, and other industries;
       Whereas although persons of African descent have made 
     significant achievements in education, employment, economic, 
     political, and social spheres in some countries, the vast 
     majority are marginalized--living in impoverished communities 
     where they are excluded from centers of education, 
     government, and basic human rights based upon the color of 
     their skin and ancestry;
       Whereas Afro-descendants have shorter life expectancies, 
     higher rates of infant mortality, higher incidences of HIV/
     AIDS, higher rates of illiteracy, and lower incomes than do 
     other populations;
       Whereas Afro-descendants encounter problems of access to 
     healthcare, basic education, potable water, housing, land 
     titles, credit, equal justice and representation under the 
     law, political representation, and other economic, political, 
     health, and basic human rights; and
       Whereas skin color and ancestry have led African-Americans 
     in the United States and African descendants in Latin America 
     and the Caribbean to share similar injustices, leading to 
     economic, social, health, and political inequalities: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) recognizes and honors African descendants in the 
     Americas for their contributions to the economic, social, and 
     cultural fabric of the countries in the Americas, 
     particularly in Latin American and Caribbean societies;
       (2) recognizes that as a result of their skin color and 
     ancestry, African descendants in the Americas have wrongfully 
     experienced economic, social, and political injustices;
       (3) urges the President to take appropriate measures to 
     encourage the celebration and remembrance of the achievements 
     of African descendants in the Americas and a resolution of 
     injustices suffered by African descendants in the Americas;
       (4) encourages the United States and the international 
     community to work to ensure that extreme poverty is 
     eradicated, universal education is achieved, quality 
     healthcare is made available, and equal access to justice and 
     representation under the law is granted in Afro-descendant 
     communities in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
       (5) encourages the United States and the international 
     community to achieve these goals in Latin America and the 
     Caribbean by--
       (A) promoting research that focuses on identifying and 
     eradicating racial disparities in economic, political, and 
     social spheres;
       (B) promoting programs that focus on Afro-descendant 
     communities;
       (C) providing technical support and training to Afro-
     descendant advocacy groups that work to uphold basic human 
     rights in the region;
       (D) promoting the creation of an international working 
     group that focuses on problems of communities of Afro-
     descendants in the Americas; and
       (E) promoting trade and other bilateral and multilateral 
     agreements that take into account the needs of Afro-
     descendant communities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent 
resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, progress for some of the Afro-Latino communities in the 
Western Hemisphere has been disturbingly low. Estimates show that 
almost one-third of the population in Latin America is made up of 
descendants of West African slaves brought to the Americas by European 
slave traders during the colonial period.
  Afro-Latinos comprise either a majority or a large minority in a 
number of Latin American nations, including the Dominican Republic, 
Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. Yet 
reports indicate that most Afro-Latinos are among the poorest, most 
marginalized groups in that region.
  Thus, as we press for democratic progress, for prosperity, and for 
security in our hemisphere, and we focus to maximize our efforts to 
reduce poverty, part of a comprehensive strategy must also include 
efforts to address the needs and provide for the rights of the Afro-
Latino community in the region.
  The resolution before us urges us to take a thoughtful, proactive 
approach to achieve such goals.
  I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for bringing this

[[Page 16274]]

issue to our attention and for introducing this important measure. I 
also wish to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde); the 
gentleman from California (Ranking Member Lantos); the gentleman from 
Indiana (Chairman Burton), the chairman of the Subcommittee on the 
Western Hemisphere; and the gentleman from New Jersey (Ranking Member 
Menendez) for their efforts to expeditiously bring this resolution 
before the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to applaud my colleagues for bringing this 
resolution to the House for consideration. I deeply appreciate the 
efforts of my dear friend and esteemed colleague, the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Rangel), for offering this resolution, and my colleagues, 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), for 
their tireless efforts on behalf of African descendants throughout the 
globe.
  People of African descent in this country have benefited from long-
standing efforts to raise public awareness of their history and their 
circumstances. But we must not forget, Mr. Speaker, that there is an 
equally complex history for African descendants throughout the 
Americas, and their current situation demands our attention and our 
action as well.
  The resolution of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) seeks to 
remove the cloak of invisibility that has hidden the faces of so many 
of our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere from their own countrymen 
and from the rest of the world.

                              {time}  1600

  African descendents are present in great numbers in the Caribbean and 
in a few Latin American countries such as Brazil where they comprise 
approximately 45 percent of the population. But many African 
descendents also reside in Latin American nations where their presence 
is less well known, such as Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama and Mexico.
  The history of Afro descendents in these countries stretches back 
centuries. In Mexico, for example, individuals in the Costa Chica area 
are believed to be descendents of slaves who were brought there in the 
17th century to work on the area's extensive cattle ranches. Today some 
of the names of Mexican towns in the Veracruz region reflect this 
history: Congo, Angola, Mozambique, Mandinga and Mocambo.
  While African descendents no longer are enslaved in Latin America and 
the Caribbean, they tend to be marginalized in many societies. This 
leaves them vulnerable to economic hardship and to upheaval such as 
civil conflict.
  In Colombia, just 2 months ago, intense fighting between leftist 
guerillas and their right wing paramilitary foes forced more than 2,000 
mainly Afro-Colombian villagers from their homes. The United Nations 
Commission for Refugees has said that the situation for these 
communities is worsening, and it has warned that these communities are 
at high risk of severe hardship and insecurity as a result of these 
illegal armed groups occupying their land.
  Mr. Speaker, the plight of African descendents in Latin America and 
the Caribbean has been ignored for far too long. The gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Rangel's) resolution before us begins to address the 
injustices and inequities that they have suffered, first by recognizing 
the situation and then by seeking to address it through raising 
awareness. The measure also encourages the United States and the 
international community to work to ensure that extreme poverty is 
eradicated, universal education is achieved, quality health care is 
made available and equal access to justice and representation under the 
law is granted to Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and the 
Caribbean.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield such time as he may consume to 
the author of the resolution, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), 
the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means, 
one of our leaders in the Congress and my dear friend.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, this is indeed a very emotional and historic 
day to see that the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), who is 
such a great American and yet she has this pride and that Cuban blood 
which emphasizes that when you have that, you can become even a better 
American.
  And then on this side of the aisle to find my friend, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Lantos), an international personality that came 
from Hungary, but his people were not satisfied just to come from all 
over the world. They needed someplace that they could feel that was 
theirs. They needed a homeland. And out of that came the birth and the 
greatness of Jewish people all over the world, because they knew that 
they had a place that they could be so proud of. And it is that pride, 
or lack of pride that determines what we can do.
  And here, me in the aisle, coming from a family that comes from 
families of slaves, what a trio we are to be in this House of 
Representatives in this great country enjoying who we are and where we 
came from and not being satisfied with that, but reaching out and 
saying that those that come from Africa, no matter where they are, we 
want them, if not to have a traditional homeland, at least to have that 
culture, that pride, that self-esteem that makes a difference.
  Mr. Speaker, not too long ago I was in Germany with the Chancellor, 
and even though there was no one of the Jewish faith in the CODEL, he 
went out of his way during this NATO meeting to show how friendly and 
supportive the German government was to Israel. When it occurred at 
every meeting, I said, ``Mr. Chancellor, is there a particular reason 
why you are emphasizing the friendship and support that you give to 
Israel?'' And he said, ``Yes, Congressman. The people of Germany 
committed acts, atrocities on these people, and it is not enough to say 
that you are sorry. You have to show in some way that the conscience of 
Germans should not have to carry this burden,'' because they recognize 
not just an apology but they had to do something.
  We are not asking Americans or white people to be ashamed for what 
happened, but it does help when you say an act of injustice has been 
committed by certain people of this world, to take human beings who God 
has made and to treat them like machines, to treat them like chattel, 
to tear them away from their families, to use them to build economies, 
whether we are talking about cotton, sugar or rum or mining, and then 
just to walk away and say I did not do it.
  Well, no one is saying who did it. But what makes a person great is 
to be able to say what you did about it.
  It seems difficult that for me, as a child, the word ``African'' was 
used as an insulting adjective as to who was then Colored or Negro or 
whatever they were called.
  But how did all of this happen? It happened because it was a planned 
strategy, not only to control the body of people, but to control their 
minds to such an extent that even among those of African descent they 
discriminated against each other.
  I had hoped one day when I get to heaven and have a chance to talk 
with God directly, that I would ask her, what did people of color ever 
do to make you so angry? As we go to the different countries in the 
Caribbean and Central and South America, how can you determine poverty 
and misery and disease by one's color? Well, you do it.
  And she would say, when racism and evil people come in and make you 
do this to yourself, very much like the terrorists who God has made, it 
is an evil that comes in that causes them to want to destroy; and when 
you destroy one's self-esteem, you destroy their confidence, you tear 
away their culture, their music, their education and deny them who they 
are and where

[[Page 16275]]

they came from, then you get someone that cannot effectively compete.
  We in the Congressional Black Caucus recognize what we have had to go 
through in our own country. We have seen the tremendous advancements 
that have been made. But we are not satisfied with that. We want to 
help those in Brazil, those in Colombia, those in Central and South 
America, and especially those in Mexico, to understand that when God 
made all these beautiful colors He made it for all of us to feel a 
sense of pride. And this is what we hope that we are able to do, to 
make some type of commitment, no apologies, but to be able to say that 
terrorism and dictatorships and these type of things seem to fester 
when you find areas of poverty where injustices have taken place. If we 
can have a stronger people in this world to make contributions as to 
who they are, to make them better, but indeed to make us better too, I 
think it would be a better country.
  I would say to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), when we 
were having the crisis in Haiti, and just as the Jewish people were 
denied in 1939 the ability to land here to escape the Germans and were 
sent back, you may recall that we were sending back Haitians to go into 
a crisis where their lives could be lost.
  I was on Lenox Avenue going home, and a constituent came to me and 
thanked me for the work I was doing on behalf of the Haitian refugees. 
I thanked him, but hearing no Haitian accent, I stopped him and I 
asked, where are you from? He said, North Carolina. I said, what is 
your interest in Haiti? He said, my brother, we all came from Africa. I 
really thought you understood that.
  What a beautiful feeling where all of us can say that no matter where 
we came from, that we can help each other because in this republic, no 
matter how much pride we have for that flag, there is a sense of 
dignity and pride when we join with our own people, tell our own jokes 
and in the case of some groups of people, even enlarge among who they 
were and who their families were. That is what makes this country so 
great.
  I would say to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), I am so glad that both of 
you are on the floor today, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) 
as well who expedited this. It does not cost a lot of money, but it is 
one heck of a powerful and rich statement that we are able to say that 
in our country, with all of the problems that we have had and all the 
problems that we have overcome, that we are still concerned about 
individuals who have not reached that. And so no longer can kids have 
to dream of working in sugar fields, dancing and playing and singing. 
They can become outside of the domestic market. They can become 
doctors, lawyers, politicians and represent their countries and be able 
to go to the floors of the international communities and, without 
getting involved in dialogue, just a smile would say that God made us 
all in different colors, with different attributes, but we are so proud 
to be Americans that we want to help others, whether it is in Central 
America, whether it is in South America, but in this hemisphere. We do 
not have to apologize for what we have done, but we can make this a 
better world.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) 
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and those people that 
served as cosponsors to make this a resolution. Now we have to work to 
make certain it comes into being.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Rangel), my dear friend and distinguished colleague, for his 
powerful and moving and eloquent statement.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for his kind 
words, and this generation of Americans has a wonderful role model to 
look up to and model themselves after in the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 
175, which was introduced by my colleague, Mr. Rangel. This legislation 
acknowledges African descendants of the transatlantic slave trade in 
all of the Americas with an emphasis on descendants in Latin America 
and the Caribbean, recognizing the injustices suffered by these African 
descendants, and recommends that the United States and the 
international community work to improve the circumstances of Afro-
descendant communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  While there have been considerable steps in addressing the many 
humanitarian issues facing these populations in Latin America and the 
Caribbean, more still needs to be done. The Resolution urges the U.S. 
to pursue policies and strategies directly targeted at addressing these 
problems. The Resolution promotes inclusion of Afro-Latino communities 
in the private and public sector.
  In the 108th Congress, my colleagues and I concluded that, for too 
long, this country and other nations had ignored the struggle and 
challenges faced by Afro-descendant populations in the Americas. While 
the U.S. has been compelled to take steps to address our race problem 
in this country, we have often unintentionally forgotten or 
deemphasized the impact of that struggle throughout the Western 
Hemisphere.
  The U.S. State Department reports that a disproportionate number of 
internally displaced people, IDP, in Colombia are of African descent. 
The Colombian non-profit CODHES estimates that Afro-Colombians 
accounted for at least 33 percent of total internally displaced people 
in 2002. Displaced Afro-Colombians from the coastal regions swell urban 
slums such as the Nelson Mandela Barrio on the edge of Cartagena.
  Many Afro-Colombians reside in the most neglected regions of the 
country, where they are caught between state, paramilitary and 
guerrilla forces. The absence of meaningful Colombian state presence 
provides a vacuum in which illegal actors function with impunity. In 
spite of the influential role Afro-Colombians have played in national 
development, they have been marginalized in Colombian culture, economy 
and politics.
  Afro-Colombians have made meaningful contributions to Colombia 
through the richness and diversity of their cultures. They are 
characterized by their ability to coexist peacefully, their sense of 
community and solidarity, their vast knowledge of the country's natural 
resources, and their love and concern for the environment. Even so, 
Afro-Latinos account for about 30 percent of the Latin American 
population and make up over 60 percent of its poor. Afro-Latinos also 
have extreme high rates of suicide, homicide, infant mortality, and 
illiteracy.
  The displaced not only face violence and perilous living conditions, 
but they often have lost their traditional lands to armed actors, drug 
traffickers, ranchers, and the logging industry, realities that 
threaten the survival of their culture.
  Brazil has the largest population of Afro-descendants in Latin 
America and the Caribbean. Shockingly, only one in three Afro-
Brazilians attends secondary schools. Columbia with the second largest 
Afro-descendant population has a shorter life expectancy for this 
population, limited access to medical and health care facilities, and 
the highest rates of illiteracy.
  I also want to thank the other members of the Afro-Latino Working 
Group: The Honorable Charles Rangel, Mr. Donald Payne, Ms. Barbara Lee, 
Mr. William Jefferson, and Mr. Gregory Meeks. Their counsel, advocacy, 
and commitment to these issues have been instrumental in raising the 
importance and awareness of this cause to me and this Congress, I 
appreciate their support.
  As a freedom-loving people, we in the United States have a role to 
play in the fulfillment of Colombia's democratic experiment to include 
aid for Afro-Colombians, while future disbursements of U.S. aid should 
factor in the needs of Afro-Colombian populations. Increased foreign 
assistance of Colombia must also be devoted to the development of 
marginalized peoples. Historically, Afro-Colombians have looked to the 
United States as a progressive society. America's struggle to end 
racism at home and to dismantle Apartheid in Africa gives Afro-
descendants in Latin America hope that they will one day see that the 
mission towards a humanitarian freedom and democracy is not yet 
finished. America's voice in Latin America cannot be ignored.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of the 
legislation to honor and recognize the African descendants of the 
transatlantic slave trade throughout the Americas, including 
descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as recognizing 
the

[[Page 16276]]

injustices suffered by these African descendants, and recommending that 
the United States and the international community work to improve the 
situation of Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and the 
Caribbean.
  I also rise to acknowledge the hard work of Congressman Rangel, the 
dean of the New York delegation, and the author of this important 
resolution.
  H. Con. Res. 175, of which I am a proud cosponsor, highlights the 
priceless contributions and indubitable needs of African descendants of 
the transatlantic slave trade in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  This resolution of recognition is a very important and solid step 
forward that we need to take in order to resolve this international 
issue.
  This resolution will address the social, economic and political 
affects as a result of the slave trade and colonialism era within the 
international community.
  These communities are made up of over 150 million people in the 
Americas and the Caribbean.
  Despite their large presence, the majority of Afro-descendants have 
been marginalized by racial discrimination, social exclusion, and 
innumerable political and economic acts of injustice.
  Although protected by their country's constitutions, individuals of 
African descent in this region constantly struggle to maintain full 
protection of their rights.
  Despite the large African populations Latin America, specifically 
Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, these communities 
lack equal opportunities, strong political representation, and have yet 
to be recognized for their outstanding achievements abroad.
  Colombia is the only country that has Afro-Colombia representatives 
and has been the only country to approve legislation for the betterment 
of the African community, despite having only 2 of 166 seats in their 
House reserved for Colombians of African decent.
  H. Con. Res. 175 will mark the beginning of progressive change in 
these communities.
  Poverty levels, lack of education funding, and exploitation of human 
rights within these regions will be challenged as result of the passing 
of this bill.
  This bill supports the creation of organizations to combat racial 
tensions, such as Brazil's Ministry for the Promotion of Racial 
Equality, and the National Institute against Discrimination, 
Xenophobia, and Racism in Argentina.
  The United States and the International community will work in 
coalition to improve social conditions and encourage more participation 
of Afro-descendant populations to exercise their rights and not be 
oppressed as a result of their ancestry.
  The creation of more education assistance programs, racial equality 
initiatives, housing policies, and healthcare programs will no longer 
be far from reach in this population as a result of this bill's 
passing.
  This resolution will allow Afro-descendants to enjoy the prosperity 
of their culture and heritage, contribute to their communities without 
being ostracized, and be recognized publicly for their efforts.
  These groups lack an organized process by which they can exercise 
their rights and opinions efficiently. With one in three Afro-
Brazilians attending middle school, this is a population that 
desperately needs visibility and international aid.
  As a representative of a large Colombian population within my 
district, this is an issue that has directly affected my constituents.
  I am extremely hopeful that this bill will create more opportunities 
for all Latin Americans of African descent in their home country, 
allowing them to play an equal role to that of the entire population in 
the affairs of their society.
  Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
175 and extend my thanks to my friend from New York for bringing this 
resolution before the House. The dark, sordid history of slavery in 
this country continues to reverberate throughout society--economically, 
culturally, socially. What too many in our country do not know is that 
the enslavement of Africans was a tragedy throughout this hemisphere, 
not just in the United States. This important resolution shines a 
bright light on the injustices suffered by the descendants of the 
transatlantic slave trade throughout the Americas, and particularly in 
Latin America and Caribbean. The United States must join with the 
international community to improve the living conditions of and to 
empower the Afro-Latino communities throughout the Americas.
  As a result of the slave trade and immigration, approximately 
80,000,000 to 150,000,000 persons of African descent live in Latin 
America and the Caribbean, representing the largest concentration of 
persons of African ancestry outside of Africa. Individuals of African 
descent are a vital part of the population and economy of almost every 
country in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, 
Uruguay, and Venezuela. By way of example, Brazil has the largest 
population of Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean, yet, 
tragically, only one in three Afro-Brazilians attend secondary schools.
  Although Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean have 
made significant economic, social, and cultural contributions to their 
respective countries, a large percentage of these Afro-descendants 
community live in extremely poor conditions, in marginal communities 
with little or no access to education, healthcare, equal employment. As 
a result, Afro-descendants have shorter life expectancies, higher 
infant mortality rates, higher incidences of HIV/AIDS, higher rates of 
illiteracy, and lower incomes than do other populations. Afro-
descendants, for instance, account for about 30 percent of the Latin 
American population, yet make up over 60 percent of its poor. Afro-
descendants also have extreme high rates of suicide and homicide.
  We, as African-Americans, share similar histories and civil rights 
struggles and experience similar disparities with Afro-descendants in 
Latin America and the Caribbean. In recognizing this, we are also 
recognizing that America shares similar experience with our neighbors 
in the Hemisphere.
  While we have taken strides to address racial and ethnic disparities 
here in the United States, our struggle continues. Unfortunately, in 
Latin America and the Caribbean, similar transformations and 
recognitions of the need to address many of these racial and ethnic 
disparities have yet to occur.
  Today, with this important resolution, we demonstrate our solidarity 
and we confirm our commitment to help facilitate these transformations 
in Latin America. Supporting this Resolution is a mutually-beneficial 
goal for those of us in the United States and those populations 
residing to our neighboring South. Creating economic opportunities, 
expanding growth, eliminating racial and ethnic disparities leads to 
greater stability and democracy in the Hemisphere.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to again thank my friend and 
colleague from New York, Mr. Rangel, for his leadership in bringing 
this historic resolution to the floor. However imperfect, ours is a 
nation of laws committed to equal justice for all. That commitment has 
never ended at the border, and it certainly should extend to our 
neighbors throughout the Americas. This resolution reminds us to heed 
the sage words Dr. King wrote from the Birmingham jail 42 years ago: 
``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.''
  Let us remember that wisdom as we cast our votes for this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Con. Res. 175, a resolution acknowledging African descendants of 
the transatlantic slave trade in all of the Americas and recommending 
that the United States and the international community work to improve 
the situation of Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and the 
Caribbean.
  The early history of the Americas is plagued with immeasurable acts 
of violence and inhumane cruelties. The establishment of the 
transatlantic slave trade is merely one of numerous blemishes that 
remain a part of our troubled past. From the late fifteenth through 
nineteenth centuries, an estimated ten million Africans were abducted, 
bound and shipped as human cargo to the Americas.
  These men, women and children were used to build the foundation of 
nations spanning Latin America, North America and the Caribbean. Words 
can hardly do justice to the struggle these individuals faced on a 
daily basis. Working endless hours through unbearable conditions, 
African slaves constantly fought a losing battle to survive. Though 
disbanded several hundred years ago, the legacy of this institution 
remains imbedded in our societies even today.
  African descendants throughout the Americas have historically 
suffered from societal and governmental marginalization. In the United 
States, African descendants experience disproportionately high infant 
mortality, illiteracy and poverty rates. As a nation, we have worked to 
fight against these racial disparities, yet they continue to persist.
  Only recently have similar trends been analyzed and acknowledged in 
Latin American and Caribbean countries. This fight is ongoing both at 
home and abroad. We must extend our reach beyond domestic policy to 
advance an international discussion of racial issues.
  Though America aspires to lead the world in the realm of economic 
policies and technological innovation, it constantly falls short of

[[Page 16277]]

promoting racial equality. As pioneers in all other industries, it is 
our duty to be at the forefront of all efforts geared towards amending 
the social and economic disparities that continue to haunt African 
descendants in the Americas.
  The largest number of Afro-descendants living outside of Africa can 
be found in Latin America and the Caribbean. These individuals share in 
our early history and suffer from the residual effects that are 
evidenced in our own communities. It is equally our responsibility to 
aid and assist Latin American and Caribbean nations' efforts to 
overcome their institutionalized racial disparities. Our common past 
will forever link our futures.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves as a reminder of the history 
shared amongst the Americas. The emancipation of all men, though boldly 
declared by many nations throughout the nineteenth century, remains to 
be realized. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution as a 
necessary step in addressing the racial inequities that persist in 
North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 364, commending the continuing improvement in relations between 
the United States and the Republic of India. This historic relationship 
is exemplified by the current official visit of the Prime Minister of 
India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh. This important resolution 
recognizes the benefits of our two nations working together towards our 
common goals of promoting peace, prosperity, and freedom among all 
countries of the world.
  The Fifth District of Illinois is enriched by the presence of long-
time residents and recent immigrants from India. Indian-Americans have 
proven that America is made stronger by their contributions to our 
cultural richness and diversity.
  I am also pleased to recognize the continuing and growing friendship 
between the nations of India and the United States. India is the most 
populous democratic country in the world and has historically been a 
steadfast ally and loyal friend of the United States. We have benefited 
from our close and mutual friendship with India, through cooperation on 
security, trade and technological advancements which improve lives in 
both countries and help promote safety throughout the world.
  It is a particular pleasure to pass this Resolution on the occasion 
of His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit. His Excellency has, in 
his previous capacity as Finance Minister, helped shape India's 
economic policies to permit the growth of free markets, which has led 
to much greater economic prosperity for many people in India and the 
creation of a large middle class.
  With this bipartisan resolution, the American people recognize that 
we will be more effective and successful with India as a partner in 
achieving our mutual objectives to promote democracy, combat terrorism, 
pursue nuclear non-proliferation, strengthen the global economy and 
trade, and slow the spread of HIV/AIDS.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this concurrent resolution and I look 
forward to continue working with my colleagues on all of our efforts to 
promote peace and cooperation between these two great nations.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 175, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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