Schumer Blasts President for not Declaring the Month of June National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

SCHUMER BLASTS PRESIDENT FOR NOT DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

White House stonewalls movement to designate month of June National Caribbean-American Heritage month, unwilling to officially recognize Caribbean-Americans' extensive contributions

Schumer calls for Presidential proclamation to officially designate June as National Caribbean-American Heritage month

In a letter sent to President Bush on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer slammed the President for dragging his feet and failing to issue a Presidential proclamation designating the month of June as Caribbean-American Heritage month. Schumer and U.S. Representative Barbara Lee have already shepherded resolutions through the Senate and House calling for the month of June to officially acknowledge the cultural and historical contributions of Caribbean-Americans. While only a Presidential proclamation is now needed to make June of every year the official Caribbean-American month, President Bush has stalled the process by failing to step forward and commemorate the Caribbean-American community.

"The Senate and the House have already done their part in recognizing the extensive contributions Caribbean-Americans have made to our country. Now it's up to the President to take the final step and issue a presidential proclamation to designate the month of June as Caribbean-American Heritage month," said Schumer. "As a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, I've been blessed to experience first-hand the vibrant Caribbean-American community and its rich culture and history, and while I have no problem educating the President on its extensive contributions to our country, I hope he fixes his mistake."

On February 14, 2006, a Schumer-backed resolution to designate the month of June as Caribbean-American Heritage month passed the Senate with unanimous consent. The resolution had already passed the House unanimously on June 27, 2005 after being introduced by Representative Barbara Lee. Now it is up to President Bush to commemorate the Caribbean-American community in the same way he has for the African-American, Hispanic, Irish-American, Asian Pacific-Islander, American Jewish, German-American, and many other communities.
Millions have emigrated from the Caribbean region to the United States and have influenced every aspect of American culture, society and government. Schumer's resolution acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the United States since the inception of the country and designates June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Jean Michel Basquiat, Colin Powell, Roberto Clemente, Maryse Condé, Cicely Tyson, Harry Belafonte, Celia Cruz, and Shirley Chisholm are just a few of the many Caribbean-Americans who have made monumental contributions to all parts of American society.

Schumer's letter asks the President to take the final step in honoring and recognizing the Caribbean-American community. "Millions of people have emigrated from the Caribbean to the United States since the earliest settlement of our country. Caribbean-Americans are present in every State, and have contributed immeasurably to our history, culture and success as a nation," Schumer wrote. "Carlos Gutierrez, Colin Powell, and Mel Martinez—current and former members of your Cabinet—are all of Caribbean descent. I urge you to support the Caribbean-American community by declaring June National Caribbean-American Heritage Month."
In last year's 108th Congress, the bi-partisan effort to create a National Caribbean-American Heritage Month was supported by more than 40 organizations including The Institute for Caribbean Studies, The Inter-American Economic Council, The Caribbean Voice NY, Caribbean Professional Networking Series, Caribbean World Arts & Culture, Inc., Caribbean-American Cultural Association, Inc., and the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2006/PR170.Caribbean%20Month.060206.html