Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering today, my resolution H. Con. Res. 148, recognizing the significance of Caribbean-American Heritage month. This resolution acknowledges the contributions of Caribbean-Americans from the inception of our country to the present and it is my hope that my colleagues in the House and the Senate will join me in celebrating this strong, rich history.

Alexander Hamilton, Hazel Scott, Sidney Poitier, Jean Michel Basquiat, Eric Holder, Colin Powell, Edwidge Danticat, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Sidney Ponson, Maryse Conde, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Roberto Clemente, Celia Cruz, and former Congressman Mervyn Dymally, are just a few of the many Caribbean-Americans who helped shape American government, politics, business, arts, education, science, and culture, and are joined by modern day figures like Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Cannavale,

Cameron Diaz, Wyclef Jean, Elizabeth Vargas, Esmeralda Santiago, and Miguel Pinero.

One outstanding Caribbean-American was former Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm. My political career began as a volunteer in her historic Presidential campaign in 1972. Chisholm was the first African- American woman to serve in Congress, the first African-American and the first woman to campaign on a major party ticket, an advocate for civil rights and equal rights, and a daughter of the Caribbean. Her tenacity and principled nature are inspirations to us all.

While we've been fortunate to have Caribbean Americans serve in Congress, it's important for us to realize that Caribbean Americans reside throughout our Nation.

Oftentimes, Congress will focus on ``hot spots'' in the Caribbean-- such as Cuba and Haiti, and forget that we have many constituents with roots from Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago and from the Dominican Republic to Guyana. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on Foreign Operations and the bi-partisan Caribbean Caucus, I believe it is of vital importance to monitor and shape policies to improve relations with our Caribbean neighbors throughout the region.

I'd like to thank my colleagues who brought this legislation forward, particularly Congressman John Tierney, and his staff Kevin McDermott, who helped move the resolution through the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. On that note, I'd also like to thank Chairman Henry Waxman and the rest of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for expeditious consideration of this resolution.

I'd like to close by mentioning that this resolution could not have come to the floor of this House at a better time, as members of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, are gathering here in Washington, DC, for their conference, which will run through the rest of the week. Heads of State and other leaders of the many nations that are part of CARICOM, representing the nations of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as nations that are Associate Members and Observers of CARICOM. It is my hope that this conference will not only allow these nations to help move the Caribbean as a whole, forward, but also provide the opportunity for us to meet with and discuss issues important to growing the relationship between the U.S. and the nations along our Third Border.

I ask all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this measure to honor the Caribbean-American community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 148 which declares June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. I am honored to be a cosponsor of this bill because it recognizes the contributions of Caribbean Americans to the social, economic and cultural landscape to the United States of America. The West Indies represents a diverse melting pot with each island bringing its own unique enriching element to this country's background. With approximately 34 million people and 16 independent nations sharing an African ethnic heritage, the Caribbean is a cosmopolitan region.

Some may wonder, what are we really celebrating during Caribbean Heritage Month? What makes these dynamic groups of people so distinct? Since the 17th century, West Indian slaves were shipped to the Americas. The Caribbean region continued to suffer slavery's wrath long after its abolition. Colonialism continued to strangle the region's independence, creating fragmented and dependent economies. However, in just over 40 years of independence, the region has established democratic governments and strengthened ties with the United States. Despite extenuating circumstances, these former colonies are now rising states which continue to infuse American mainstream culture.

According to the 2005 American Community Survey, some 2.2 million American residents have a West Indian background. Moreover, approximately 32 percent of the Caribbean-American population is currently enrolled in college or graduate school, and 33 percent of the West Indian population is employed in educational, health care, and social services. In my home state of Florida, there is an estimated 649,000 Caribbean Americans. Approximately 30 percent of this population is currently enrolled in college or graduate school and 25 percent are employed in educational, health care, and social services.

Large, dynamic and remarkable communities with Caribbean ancestry exhibit this diversity in Florida's 23rd Congressional District. I am so privileged to represent people of virtually every single Caribbean heritage. From Lauderhill to Miramar to West Palm Beach to Oakland Park, I am honored to work on behalf of all of these communities and many more. There are approximately 153,000 Caribbean Americans currently residing in Florida's 23rd District. The Haitian community is one of the largest in the United States. In Broward County, Puerto Ricans comprise the largest Caribbean group at more than 50,000.

Furthermore, the second largest concentration of Cubans in the United States is in Broward County, with approximately 50,000 Cuban-American residents. Palm Beach County has the sixth largest concentration of Cuban-American residents in the United States, with more than 25,000 Cuban-American residents. Moreover, about 25,000 Palm Beach County residents are of Puerto Rican descent, and more than 7,500 are of Dominican descent.

Mr. Speaker, the National Caribbean American Heritage Month's declaration attests to the United States' reception to Caribbean influence in our country's history and its present socio-economic structure. Undeniably, the educational, political, and artistic influences of Caribbean Americans continue to permeate several facets of our society. The American spirit is a tapestry that weaves cultures together, one in which people of all traditions and walks of life convene to better protect and educate one another. The Caribbean- American people are an invaluable part of this tapestry.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 148) recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to

join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 148, a bill that recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

H. Res. 148, which has 53 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Barbara Lee of California on May 14, 2007. H. Con. Res. 148 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by a voice vote.

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month was established to recognize the historical relationship between people of the Caribbean and the United States of America. Caribbean Americans present a rich diversity of countries, cultures and colloquialisms which are dispersed throughout communities in the United States. Caribbean immigration to the United States reached its peak in the last 5 years, with approximately 6 percent of the more than 7 million immigrants coming from the Caribbean.

Since the founding of the United States, Caribbeans have had a significant role in shaping the conscience of America and are among our great leaders, entrepreneurs and entertainers, including such individuals as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell, James Weldon Johnson, Shirley Chisholm, Marion Jones, Juan Carlos Finlay, Oscar de la Renta, Malcolm X, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the founder of Chicago, Marcus Garvey, and many others.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for introducing this legislation and I urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Caribbean American Heritage Month. The imprint of Caribbean-Americans on the foundation of the United States is indispensable. This June, we Americans have the opportunity to celebrate the history, accomplishments, culture and global influence of people of Caribbean descent past and present.

Caribbean-Americans have significantly contributed to the ethnic diversity that strengthens and enhances our stature in the international community. From the platform of St. Mark's Church in New York City to the halls of Congress, Caribbean-Americans such as Marcus Garvey and Congresswoman Barbara Lee have effected the civil rights and federal legislation that serve as building blocks in American history.

Even in times of war, Caribbean-Americans support our efforts at home and abroad by serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, thousands of Caribbean-Americans are fighting to achieve stability in Iraq.

In a wide variety of fields, people of Caribbean descent have transformed the Nation we live in today. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 148, recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, each year in June, we celebrate our strong relationship with the Caribbean nations and appreciate the value and diversity they bring to the United States. We value National Caribbean-American Heritage Month and encourage people from across the country to join with those of Caribbean-American roots in these celebrations. From as far back as the 17th century, citizens from the Caribbean have immigrated to the U.S. Many were slaves, who faced the same obstacles struggling for equality and independence.

We are a Nation of immigrants, and this bill emphasizes the many contributions of Caribbean immigrants to our society. Over 5 million Americans proudly share the Caribbean heritage in promoting and attending Caribbean-style festivals around the country. These festivals appreciate the rich culture, history and diversity brought forth through the joining of these two nations.

I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of House Concurrent Resolution 148.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.