Introduction of Resolution Recognizing the Significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my resolution recognizing National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Caribbean Americans have enriched our nation through their contributions in the arts, sciences, education, business, sports, military, and government.

Since before our nation's founding, millions have emigrated from the Caribbean to the United States. Today, more than 8 million Americans are either born in the Caribbean or have Caribbean ancestry. Among the many influential Caribbean Americans are: Kamala Harris, the first African-American Vice President; Colin Powell, the first African- American Secretary of State; Eric Holder, the first African-American Attorney General; Karine Jean-Pierre, the first African-American White House Press Secretary; Deval Patrick, first African American Governor of Massachusetts; David Paterson, first legally blind and first African American to serve as Governor of New York State; Wes Moore, the first African American Governor of Maryland; Patrick Gaspard, labor union organizer and social justice advocate; Earl Graves, Sr, Founder of Black Enterprise; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball great and social activist; Marcus Garvey, Jamaican political activist and Pan-African leader.

Caribbean Americans have made significant contributions to all aspects of society, including fine arts, education, business, literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, the military, music, science, medicine, engineering, and technology. They also share their vibrant culture through festivals, carnivals, music, dance, film, food, and literature, enriching the cultural landscape of the United States.

Members of the Caribbean diaspora also have a longstanding legacy of economic contributions, both in the U.S. and in their countries of origin. Through monetary and social remittances, they play a vital role in supporting sustainable economic development in the Caribbean, with these contributions representing significant percentages of their home countries' GDP.

I would also like to recognize Dr. Claire A. Nelson, Founding President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, as the chief architect behind the movement for the official proclamation of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Dr. Nelson has convened a network of volunteer leaders through the National Caribbean American Heritage Month Commemorative Committee to ensure continued recognition and celebration of this important month.

It is essential that Congress continues to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Caribbean Americans to our nation's history and their role in shaping our future.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring National Caribbean American Heritage Month.

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