[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16130-16132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 148) recognizing the 
significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 148

       Whereas people of Caribbean heritage are found in every 
     State of the Union;
       Whereas emigration from the Caribbean region to the 
     American Colonies began as early as 1619 with the arrival of 
     indentured workers in Jamestown, Virginia;

[[Page 16131]]

       Whereas during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a 
     significant number of slaves from the Caribbean region were 
     brought to the United States;
       Whereas since 1820, millions of people have emigrated from 
     the Caribbean region to the United States;
       Whereas much like the United States, the countries of the 
     Caribbean faced obstacles of slavery and colonialism and 
     struggled for independence;
       Whereas also like the United States, the people of the 
     Caribbean region have diverse racial, cultural, and religious 
     backgrounds;
       Whereas the independence movements in many countries in the 
     Caribbean region during the 1960s and the consequential 
     establishment of independent democratic countries in the 
     Caribbean strengthened ties between the region and the United 
     States;
       Whereas Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United 
     States and the first Secretary of the Treasury, was born in 
     the Caribbean;
       Whereas there have been many influential Caribbean-
     Americans in the history of the United States, including Jean 
     Baptiste Point du Sable, the pioneer settler of Chicago; 
     Claude McKay, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance; James Weldon 
     Johnson, the writer of the Black National Anthem; Shirley 
     Chisolm, the first African-American Congresswoman and first 
     African-American woman candidate for President; and Celia 
     Cruz, the world-renowned queen of Salsa music;
       Whereas the many influential Caribbean-Americans in the 
     history of the United States also include Colin Powell, the 
     first African-American Secretary of State; Sidney Poitier, 
     the first African-American actor to receive the Academy Award 
     for best actor in a leading role; Harry Belafonte, a 
     musician, actor, and activist; Marion Jones, an Olympic gold 
     medalist; Roberto Clemente, the first Latino inducted into 
     the baseball hall of fame; and Al Roker, a meteorologist and 
     television personality;
       Whereas Caribbean-Americans have played an active role in 
     the civil rights movement and other social and political 
     movements in the United States;
       Whereas Caribbean-Americans have contributed greatly to 
     education, fine arts, business, literature, journalism, 
     sports, fashion, politics, government, the military, music, 
     science, technology, and other areas in the United States;
       Whereas Caribbean-Americans share their culture through 
     carnivals, festivals, music, dance, film, and literature that 
     enrich the cultural landscape of the United States;
       Whereas the countries of the Caribbean are important 
     economic partners of the United States;
       Whereas the countries of the Caribbean represent the United 
     States third border;
       Whereas the people of the Caribbean region share the hopes 
     and aspirations of the people of the United States for peace 
     and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and the rest 
     of the world;
       Whereas in June 2006, President George W. Bush issued a 
     proclamation declaring June National Caribbean-American 
     Heritage Month after the passage of H. Con. Res 71 in the 
     109th Congress by both the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives; and
       Whereas June is an appropriate month to establish a 
     Caribbean-American Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Caribbean-American 
     Heritage Month;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     Caribbean-American Heritage Month with appropriate 
     ceremonies, celebrations, and activities; and
       (3) affirms that--
       (A) the contributions of Caribbean-Americans are a 
     significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of 
     the United States; and
       (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States 
     enriches and strengthens the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Sali) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the 
consideration of H. Con. Res. 148, a bill that recognizes the 
significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
  H. Res. 148, which has 53 cosponsors, was introduced by 
Representative Barbara Lee of California on May 14, 2007. H. Con. Res. 
148 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by a 
voice vote.
  National Caribbean-American Heritage Month was established to 
recognize the historical relationship between people of the Caribbean 
and the United States of America. Caribbean Americans present a rich 
diversity of countries, cultures and colloquialisms which are dispersed 
throughout communities in the United States. Caribbean immigration to 
the United States reached its peak in the last 5 years, with 
approximately 6 percent of the more than 7 million immigrants coming 
from the Caribbean.
  Since the founding of the United States, Caribbeans have had a 
significant role in shaping the conscience of America and are among our 
great leaders, entrepreneurs and entertainers, including such 
individuals as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell, James 
Weldon Johnson, Shirley Chisholm, Marion Jones, Juan Carlos Finlay, 
Oscar de la Renta, Malcolm X, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the founder 
of Chicago, Marcus Garvey, and many others.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for introducing this legislation 
and I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, each year in June, we celebrate our strong relationship 
with the Caribbean nations and appreciate the value and diversity they 
bring to the United States. We value National Caribbean-American 
Heritage Month and encourage people from across the country to join 
with those of Caribbean-American roots in these celebrations. From as 
far back as the 17th century, citizens from the Caribbean have 
immigrated to the U.S. Many were slaves, who faced the same obstacles 
struggling for equality and independence.
  We are a Nation of immigrants, and this bill emphasizes the many 
contributions of Caribbean immigrants to our society. Over 5 million 
Americans proudly share the Caribbean heritage in promoting and 
attending Caribbean-style festivals around the country. These festivals 
appreciate the rich culture, history and diversity brought forth 
through the joining of these two nations.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of House 
Concurrent Resolution 148.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering 
today, my resolution H. Con. Res. 148, recognizing the significance of 
Caribbean-American Heritage month. This resolution acknowledges the 
contributions of Caribbean-Americans from the inception of our country 
to the present and it is my hope that my colleagues in the House and 
the Senate will join me in celebrating this strong, rich history.
  Alexander Hamilton, Hazel Scott, Sidney Poitier, Jean Michel 
Basquiat, Eric Holder, Colin Powell, Edwidge Danticat, Jean Baptiste 
Point du Sable, Sidney Ponson, Maryse Conde, Harry Belafonte, Sidney 
Poitier, Roberto Clemente, Celia Cruz, and former Congressman Mervyn 
Dymally, are just a few of the many Caribbean-Americans who helped 
shape American government, politics, business, arts, education, 
science, and culture, and are joined by modern day figures like Alicia 
Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Cannavale, Cameron Diaz, Wyclef Jean, 
Elizabeth Vargas, Esmeralda Santiago, and Miguel Pinero.
  One outstanding Caribbean-American was former Congresswoman Shirley 
Anita Chisholm. My political career began as a volunteer in her 
historic Presidential campaign in 1972. Chisholm was the first African-
American woman to serve in Congress, the first African-American and the 
first woman to campaign on a major party ticket, an advocate for civil 
rights and equal rights, and a daughter of the Caribbean. Her tenacity 
and principled nature are inspirations to us all.
  While we've been fortunate to have Caribbean Americans serve in 
Congress, it's important for us to realize that Caribbean Americans 
reside throughout our Nation.
  Oftentimes, Congress will focus on ``hot spots'' in the Caribbean--
such as Cuba and

[[Page 16132]]

Haiti, and forget that we have many constituents with roots from 
Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago and from the Dominican Republic to 
Guyana. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee's 
subcommittee on Foreign Operations and the bi-partisan Caribbean 
Caucus, I believe it is of vital importance to monitor and shape 
policies to improve relations with our Caribbean neighbors throughout 
the region.
  I'd like to thank my colleagues who brought this legislation forward, 
particularly Congressman John Tierney, and his staff Kevin McDermott, 
who helped move the resolution through the House Oversight and 
Government Reform Committee. On that note, I'd also like to thank 
Chairman Henry Waxman and the rest of the Oversight and Government 
Reform Committee for expeditious consideration of this resolution.
  I'd like to close by mentioning that this resolution could not have 
come to the floor of this House at a better time, as members of the 
Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, are gathering here in Washington, DC, 
for their conference, which will run through the rest of the week. 
Heads of State and other leaders of the many nations that are part of 
CARICOM, representing the nations of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, 
Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, 
Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as nations that 
are Associate Members and Observers of CARICOM. It is my hope that this 
conference will not only allow these nations to help move the Caribbean 
as a whole, forward, but also provide the opportunity for us to meet 
with and discuss issues important to growing the relationship between 
the U.S. and the nations along our Third Border.
  I ask all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
supporting this measure to honor the Caribbean-American community.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
passage of House Concurrent Resolution 148 which declares June as 
National Caribbean American Heritage Month. I am honored to be a 
cosponsor of this bill because it recognizes the contributions of 
Caribbean Americans to the social, economic and cultural landscape to 
the United States of America. The West Indies represents a diverse 
melting pot with each island bringing its own unique enriching element 
to this country's background. With approximately 34 million people and 
16 independent nations sharing an African ethnic heritage, the 
Caribbean is a cosmopolitan region.
  Some may wonder, what are we really celebrating during Caribbean 
Heritage Month? What makes these dynamic groups of people so distinct? 
Since the 17th century, West Indian slaves were shipped to the 
Americas. The Caribbean region continued to suffer slavery's wrath long 
after its abolition. Colonialism continued to strangle the region's 
independence, creating fragmented and dependent economies. However, in 
just over 40 years of independence, the region has established 
democratic governments and strengthened ties with the United States. 
Despite extenuating circumstances, these former colonies are now rising 
states which continue to infuse American mainstream culture.
  According to the 2005 American Community Survey, some 2.2 million 
American residents have a West Indian background. Moreover, 
approximately 32 percent of the Caribbean-American population is 
currently enrolled in college or graduate school, and 33 percent of the 
West Indian population is employed in educational, health care, and 
social services. In my home state of Florida, there is an estimated 
649,000 Caribbean Americans. Approximately 30 percent of this 
population is currently enrolled in college or graduate school and 25 
percent are employed in educational, health care, and social services.
  Large, dynamic and remarkable communities with Caribbean ancestry 
exhibit this diversity in Florida's 23rd Congressional District. I am 
so privileged to represent people of virtually every single Caribbean 
heritage. From Lauderhill to Miramar to West Palm Beach to Oakland 
Park, I am honored to work on behalf of all of these communities and 
many more. There are approximately 153,000 Caribbean Americans 
currently residing in Florida's 23rd District. The Haitian community is 
one of the largest in the United States. In Broward County, Puerto 
Ricans comprise the largest Caribbean group at more than 50,000.
  Furthermore, the second largest concentration of Cubans in the United 
States is in Broward County, with approximately 50,000 Cuban-American 
residents. Palm Beach County has the sixth largest concentration of 
Cuban-American residents in the United States, with more than 25,000 
Cuban-American residents. Moreover, about 25,000 Palm Beach County 
residents are of Puerto Rican descent, and more than 7,500 are of 
Dominican descent.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Caribbean American Heritage Month's 
declaration attests to the United States' reception to Caribbean 
influence in our country's history and its present socio-economic 
structure. Undeniably, the educational, political, and artistic 
influences of Caribbean Americans continue to permeate several facets 
of our society. The American spirit is a tapestry that weaves cultures 
together, one in which people of all traditions and walks of life 
convene to better protect and educate one another. The Caribbean-
American people are an invaluable part of this tapestry.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 148.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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