[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9291 of May 29, 2015

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For centuries, Americans have been united with our Caribbean neighbors
not just by friendship and economic cooperation, but also by our common
values and ties of kin. From a region of extraordinary beauty,
generations of immigrants have brought their enormous spirit, unique
talents, and vibrant culture to the United States. Their contributions
have enriched our Nation and strengthened the deep bonds between our
peoples. This month, we celebrate the Caribbean Americans whose legacies
are woven into the fabric of our Nation, and we reaffirm our belief that
throughout the region, we all share a stake in one another's success.
As partners, our nations have reached for progress together, and in our
diverse cultures and complex histories, we see a common trajectory
toward a more free, equal, and prosperous community. Throughout the
Caribbean, courageous peoples have thrown off the yoke of colonial rule,
seizing the right to chart their own destinies, and they have overcome
the stains of slavery and segregation to widen the circle of opportunity
for all. Here in America, Caribbean Americans have followed in the
footsteps of their ancestors, joining their voices with the chorus of
patriots and carrying forward the baton of justice--from the battlefield
and the outfield, in places like Selma and Seneca Falls, and through
powerful song, poetry, and prose.
Just as our nations' pasts are shared, our futures are inextricably
linked. As millions of Caribbean Americans continue to innovate and
thrive in the United States, my Administration is committed to lifting
up hardworking individuals throughout the Caribbean and partnering with
governments to build the foundation for the next century of progress and
prosperity. We are investing in young business leaders and civil society
activists, working to expand what is possible for the next generation of
Caribbean leaders, and supporting entrepreneurship, student exchanges,
and more effective job training. With new partnerships, we are helping
to move the region toward cleaner, more affordable energy. And as the
United States begins to normalize our relations with Cuba, we have the
potential to empower a nation and end a legacy of mistrust in our
hemisphere.
America is and always has been a Nation of immigrants, and today--as
pillars of family and leaders in their communities--Caribbean Americans
strengthen every aspect of our society. We must ensure our Nation
remains a magnet for the best and the brightest around the world.
Because of my 2012 DACA policy, thousands of DREAMers from the

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Caribbean have been able to live up to their potential, and last year, I
announced my intent to take action that would allow more high-skilled
immigrants, graduates, entrepreneurs, and families to contribute to our
economy, including by expanding the existing DACA policy and creating a
new policy to provide temporary relief to certain undocumented parents
of American citizens and lawful permanent residents. And I continue to
call on the Congress to finish the job by passing comprehensive
immigration reform.
Caribbean Americans have shaped the course of our country since the
earliest chapters of our history, and they continue to drive our Nation
to realize the promise of our founding. During National Caribbean-
American Heritage Month, we honor the courage and perseverance of the
Caribbean-American community, and we rededicate ourselves to building
opportunity and protecting human rights for all our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2015 as National
Caribbean-American Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to
celebrate the history and culture of Caribbean Americans with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA