Sense of Congress That There Should Be Established a Carribbean-American Heritage Month
SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THERE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED A CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH -- (House of Representatives - June 27, 2005)
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Pennsylvania in consideration of H. Con. Res. 71, which expresses the sense of Congress that June should be designated as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
This concurrent resolution, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), recognizes that emigration from the Caribbean region to the American colonies began as early as 1619 with the arrival of indentured workers in Jamestown, Virginia. During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of slaves from the Caribbean region were brought to the United States.
This concurrent resolution also recognizes that millions of people have emigrated from the Caribbean region to the United States since 1820 and points out that Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father of the United States, was born in the Caribbean. Other influential Caribbean-Americans include Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the pioneer settler of Chicago; Celia Cruz, the world renowned queen of Salsa music; 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; Colin Powell, the first African American Secretary of State; and Al Roker, a meteorologist and television personality.
Caribbean-Americans have played active roles in the civil rights movement and other social and political movements in the United States; and they have contributed greatly to education, fine arts, business, literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, the military, music, science, and technology. This concurrent resolution will increase national awareness of contributions made by Caribbean-Americans to U.S. culture, history, and politics.
I am also pleased to note, Mr. Speaker, that Ambassador Sidney Williams is an ambassador to the Bahamas and is also a spouse of a Member of this body, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
I know that the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) had wanted to be here to speak to her resolution; but, unfortunately, her flight was such that she could not make it.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
http://thomas.loc.gov