Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 425 Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 4, 2019 Ms. LEE of California (for herself, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. HASTINGS, and Mr. DEUTCH) 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 over 2.7 million people with Caribbean heritage live in the United States; Whereas emigration from the Caribbean region to the Amer- ican colonies began as early as 1619 with the arrival of indentured workers in Jamestown, Virginia; Whereas, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a signifi- cant number of slaves from the Caribbean region were brought to the United States; Whereas, since 1820, millions of people have emigrated from the Caribbean region to the United States; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR425.IH HR425 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 425 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 region have diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and reli- gious backgrounds; Whereas the independence movements throughout the Carib- bean during the 1960s and the consequential establish- ment of independent democratic countries in the Carib- bean strengthened ties between the region 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; 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 Colin Powell, the first African-American Secretary of State; Eric Hold- er, the first African-American Attorney General; Audre Lorde, influential feminist, writer, and civil rights activ- ist; Jean-Michel Basquiat, widely respected Brooklyn- based painter and social commentator; Sidney Poitier, the first African-American actor to receive the Academy VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR425.IH HR425 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 425 IH Award for best actor in a leading role; Harry Belafonte, a musician, actor, and activist; Al Roker, a meteorologist and television personality; 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, technology, and other fields in the United States; Whereas Caribbean Americans share their culture through festivals, carnivals, music, dance, film, and literature, 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 region share the hopes and aspirations of the people of the United States for peace and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and the rest of the world; and 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR425.IH HR425 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 425 IH (1) supports the goals and ideals of Caribbean 1 American Heritage Month; 2 (2) encourages the people of the United States 3 to observe Caribbean American Heritage Month with 4 appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and activities; 5 and 6 (3) affirms that— 7 (A) the contributions of Caribbean Ameri- 8 cans are a significant part of the history, 9 progress, and heritage of the United States; 10 and 11 (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the 12 United States enriches and strengthens the Na- 13 tion. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:27 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR425.IH HR425 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS