Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month.

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 439 Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 25, 2021 Ms. LEE of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Whereas people of Caribbean heritage are found in every State of the Union; Whereas emigration from the Caribbean to the American colonies began as early as 1619 with the arrival of inden- tured workers in Jamestown, Virginia; Whereas, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a signifi- cant number of slaves from the Caribbean were brought to the United States; Whereas millions of people have emigrated from the Carib- bean to the United States; Whereas the current population of people from the Caribbean is estimated at over 4.4 million; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 May 26, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR439.IH HR439 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 439 IH Whereas, like the United States, the countries of the Carib- bean faced obstacles of slavery and colonialism and strug- gled for independence; Whereas, also like the United States, the people of the Carib- bean have diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds; Whereas independence movements throughout the Caribbean and the consequential establishment of independent democratic countries in the Caribbean strengthened ties between the Caribbean and the United States; Whereas Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father of the United States and the first Secretary of the Treasury, was born in the Caribbean; Whereas many influential Caribbean Americans have contrib- uted to the rich history of the United States, including Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the pioneer settler of Chi- cago; Claude McKay, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance; James Weldon Johnson, the writer of the Black National Anthem; Celia Cruz, the world-renowned queen of Salsa music; Sylvia Winter, influential feminist, writer, and human rights activist; Cicely Tyson, legendary star of stage and screen; John Russworm, co-founder of Free- dom’s Journal, the first Black-owned newspaper; Mervyn Dymally, first African-American Lieutenant Governor of California and first Caribbean immigrant to serve in Con- gress, and Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American Congresswoman and first African-American woman can- didate for President; Whereas the many influential Caribbean Americans in the history of the United States also include Kamala Harris, the first African-American Vice President; Colin Powell, VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 May 26, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR439.IH HR439 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 439 IH the first African-American Secretary of State; Eric Hold- er, the first African-American Attorney General; Malcolm Gladwell, noted author and social commentator; E. Mi- chael Thelwell, distinguished academic, author, and civil rights activist; Sidney Poitier, the first African-American actor to receive the Academy Award for best actor in a leading role; Harry Belafonte, a musician, actor, and ac- tivist; Al Roker, a meteorologist and television person- ality; and Roberto Clemente, the first Latino inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Caribbean Americans have played an active role in the civil rights movement and other social and political movements in the United States; Whereas Caribbean Americans have contributed to every as- pect of our society, including greatly to the fine arts, edu- cation, business, literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, the military, music, science, medi- cine, engineering, technology, and other fields in the United States; Whereas Caribbean Americans share their culture through festivals, carnivals, music, dance, film, food, and lit- erature, which enrich the cultural landscape of the United States; Whereas the countries of the Caribbean are important eco- nomic partners of the United States; Whereas the countries of the Caribbean represent the United States third border; Whereas the people of the Caribbean share the hopes and as- pirations of the people of the United States for peace and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and the rest of the world; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 May 26, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR439.IH HR439 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 439 IH Whereas since the passage of H. Con. Res. 71 in the 109th Congress by both the Senate and the House of Rep- resentatives, a proclamation has been issued annually by the President declaring June National Caribbean Amer- ican Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Caribbean 2 American Heritage Month; 3 (2) encourages the people of the United States 4 to observe Caribbean American Heritage Month with 5 appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and activities; 6 and 7 (3) affirms that— 8 (A) the contributions of Caribbean Ameri- 9 cans are a significant part of the history, 10 progress, and heritage of the United States; 11 and 12 (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the 13 United States enriches and strengthens the Na- 14 tion. 15 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:45 May 26, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR439.IH HR439 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS