[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19015]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     INDEPENDENCE DAY IN CAPE VERDE

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today with my colleagues in the Senate, I 
celebrate the anniversary of Cape Verde's independence on behalf of all 
America. This small African country of 400,000 deserves our 
recognition, particularly as it one of democracy's few success stories 
in the African continent.
  The existence of Cape Verde's islands was first acknowledged by the 
Romans. But it was not until 1456 that the uninhabited islands were 
rediscovered by the Portuguese under the command of Henry the 
Navigator. Six years later, Cape Verde was inhabited and incorporated 
as a colony of the Portuguese Empire. Its prosperity during the height 
of European colonialism was so great as to be the object of looting 
pirates, such as the infamous Sir Francis Drake. However, because of 
recurring droughts and the decline of the slave trade near the end of 
the 18th century, many Cape Verdeans emigrated from the islands to New 
England, many becoming productive members of America's whaling 
commerce.
  In the 20th century, Cape Verde was affected by growing nationalism, 
fomented by disastrous economic circumstances during the Second World 
War. The tiny nation was subsequently suppressed by the authoritarian 
Portuguese regime. But in 1974 the Carnation Revolution in Portugal not 
only brought about the world's third wave of democracy but also meant 
independence for Cape Verde. On July 5, 1975, Cape Verde received its 
independence from Portugal.
  Cape Verde's road to full democracy has been gradual, but 
nevertheless Cape Verde can now boast a prolific and fair government 
that received a perfect score in the Freedom House ratings for both 
political rights and civil liberties, the only African country with 
such an honor. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me in wishing 
the 350,000 Cape Verdean-Americans a happy Independence Day this Fifth 
of July.

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