Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Let me thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding and for your leadership and for supporting and managing this resolution today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 127, a resolution which I have authored for several years recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This resolution acknowledges the important contributions of Caribbean-Americans for the many contributions they have made to our Nation's history and culture.

Let me begin by thanking Chairman Towns, Ranking Member Issa, and the staff of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on both sides for making this a bipartisan effort and for helping to bring this resolution to the floor today.

I would also like to recognize many of my colleagues on this side: Congresswoman Donna Christensen, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Congresswoman Waters, Congressman Payne, Chairman Charlie Rangel, Chairman John Conyers, Congressman Burton, and many, many Members of Congress for their tremendous leadership on issues relating to the Caribbean.

Congresswoman Christensen, whom you will hear from in just a minute, from the Virgin Islands, has lead health care reform efforts to ensure that any health care reform bill must address strategies that deal with the disparities in communities of color. And for this, Congresswoman Christensen, Dr. Christensen, we are deeply grateful.

I'd like to also acknowledge Dr. Claire Nelson and the Institute of Caribbean Studies, and all of the other Caribbean-American organizations in Washington, D.C., and across the country, that have worked so hard to make Caribbean-American Heritage Month 2009 a great success.

As a longtime supporter of the Caribbean and a frequent visitor to the region, I am very proud to see us celebrate this important commemorative month for the fourth straight year.

Since Congress first passed H. Con. Res. 71 in February of 2006, the President has issued a proclamation recognizing Caribbean-American Heritage Month every year during the month of June. This year, President Obama issued a proclamation on June 2. Mr. Speaker, I will insert that proclamation into the Record.

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation: Caribbean Americans have made lasting

contributions to our Nation's culture and history, and the

month of June has been set aside to honor their cultural,

linguistic, ethnic, and social diversity.

Generations of immigrants have preserved the traditions of

their homelands, and these traditions have defined our

Nation's identity. Caribbean Americans bring a unique and

vibrant culture. This multilingual and multiethnic tradition

has strengthened our social fabric and enriched the diversity

of our Nation.

Millions of individuals in the United States have Caribbean

roots. Unfortunately some Caribbean Americans were forced to

our country as slaves; others arrived of their own volition.

All have sought the promise of a brighter tomorrow for

themselves and their children.

In their pursuit of success, Caribbean Americans exhibit

the traits all Americans prize: determination, a devotion to

community, and patriotism. They have made their mark in every

facet of our society, from art to athletics and science to

service. Caribbean Americans have also safeguarded our Nation

in the United States Armed Forces.

This month we also recognize the critical relationship the

United States maintains with Caribbean nations. In a world of

increasing communication and connectivity, this friendship

has become even more important. We are neighbors, partners,

and friends; we share the same aspirations for our children;

and we strive for the very same freedoms. Together, we can

meet the common challenges we face.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United

States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by

the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby

proclaim June 2009 as National Caribbean-American Heritage

Month. I urge all Americans to commemorate this month by

learning more about the history and culture of Caribbean

Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second

day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and

of the Independence of the United States of America the two

hundred and thirty-third.

Barack Obama.

People of Caribbean heritage reside in every part of our country. Since 1820, millions of people have immigrated from the Caribbean to the United States. Throughout U.S. history, we have been fortunate to benefit from countless individuals of Caribbean decent who have contributed to American Government, politics, business, arts, education, and culture, including one of my personal mentors, the Honorable Shirley Chisholm from Brooklyn, New York.

Shirley Chisholm was a woman of Bajan and Guyanese descent who never forgot her roots in the Caribbean. She was the first African American and the first woman to seriously run a Presidential campaign in 1972. She was also the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives. So personally I have to honor her today because I have to say that my political involvement began as a volunteer during her historic Presidential campaign in 1972, and through her mentorship, she strengthened my interest in issues important to the African diaspora both here in the United States and abroad.

During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we recognized the important contributions of people like Shirley Chisholm as well as Alexander Hamilton, Hazel Scott, Sidney Poitier, Wyclef Jean, Eric Holder, Colin Powell, Harry Belafonte, Celia Cruz and, yes, Congresswomen Donna Christensen, Sheila Jackson-Lee and Yvette Clarke and many other persons of Caribbean descent who have helped shape this country. Caribbean-American Heritage Month provides us an opportunity to strengthen our long-term partnerships with nations of the Caribbean community through greater dialogue and engagement, and must not stop with June. From disaster preparedness to trade and energy, education, and the campaign against HIV and AIDS, we share a number of mutual policy interests with our Caribbean neighbors. Last month we were able to address some of these important issues through the Institute of Caribbean Studies' Caribbean-American Legislative Forum, held annually on the Hill during Caribbean-American Heritage Month. At the forum, people from the academic community and the private sector, regional policymakers and members of the Caribbean diaspora were able to meet to better integrate policy interests between the United States and Caribbean countries.

Recent global events, from the sharp rise in food and energy prices to a series of devastating storms and the global economic downturn, have acutely affected people of the Caribbean, particularly our friends in Haiti. These ongoing regional and global crises highlight the need for continuing engagement and involvement with innovative policy solutions with our neighbors. I'm very pleased to see the Obama

administration's recent announcement of increased foreign assistance to Haiti and the President's participation in the Summit of the Americas, held in Trinidad. These are all signs of this administration's fresh and new engagement with the region. Caribbean-American Heritage Month also reminds us of the large and diverse constituencies of Caribbean- Americans in our Nation and provided us with an opportunity to send a message of good will to the Caribbean community both here and abroad. This month also provided us with an opportunity to share in the rich culture of our natives through showcases of Caribbean art, festivals, concerts and films. In my own district in Oakland, California, the Caribbean-American Heritage Association of Northern California celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the people of the Caribbean through a musical concert and family picnic. The association also hosted its Third Annual Caribbean-American Heritage Legacy Awards ceremony, honoring the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to our great country. Just as we should commemorate the achievements of the many diverse communities that make up this great country, the United States Government should continue to celebrate the rich history and diversity of Caribbean-Americans and work each and every day to ensure that the issues of concern to Caribbean-Americans and the nations of the Caribbean are included in our policy debates here in the Congress. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure to honor and salute the Caribbean-American community and to acknowledge their rich and varied contributions to the history, culture and progress of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 127, Recognizing the Significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. I thank my friend The Gentle lady from California, Barbara Lee for her hard work on this very important resolution. This resolution ensures that every June, we recognize the many contributions of Caribbean-Americans and highlight the issues facing the Caribbean community.

I have the distinct honor and privilege of representing New York's 11`h Congressional District, located in central Brooklyn. And as a child of Jamaican immigrants, I have experienced first hand the impact Caribbean Americans can have on a community, let alone a nation. That is why I have been a staunch advocate for Caribbean issues my entire public life; fighting to ensure that the agenda of Caribbean Americans are visible on the national stage.

From the various Caribbean Associations dedicated to helping Caribbean Americans with myriad issues, to the West-Indian American Day Carnival on Eastern Parkway, the influence and impact of Caribbean descendents is undeniable.

Caribbean Americans have contributed greatly to our nation as a whole. Some prominent Caribbean Americans include: My predecessor and role model, Former U.S. Representative Shirley Chisholm, the first African American female Member of Congress, who was of Caribbean descent; Former Secretary of State Collin Powell, both the first African American to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State of Jamaican lineage; Jamaica Kincaid, an American novelist; social activists Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X; and dancer Pearl Primus, to name a few.

In Brooklyn, there have been many who have influenced my advocacy for the Caribbean community. People like my mother Dr. Una Clarke, who was the first Caribbean born woman elected to the New York City's Legislature; Lemuel Stanislaus of Grenada; Dr. Henry Frank of Haiti; and Carlos Rosada of Grenada, chairman of the West-Indian American Day Carnival Association, continue to remind me of the fight for equality, not only for the Caribbean community and their countries of origin, but for all.

While Caribbean Americans have made great strides, there are still lingering issues affecting Caribbean Americans in this country. Caribbean immigrants often have little money or access to practical information when making their transition to the United States, making them the targets of immigration fraud. As a result, earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 1992, the Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009, which makes it a federal crime to willfully misrepresent the immigration process through fraud or false representation.

I also introduced H.R. 2071, which directs the Secretary of Commerce to include Caribbean descent as an option on census questionnaires. This will finally bring recognition to the broad diversity of Caribbean natives that call our country home and ensure an accurate count and proper representation.

Our nation's ``third border'', shared with the Caribbean community, links the security of the U.S. with our island neighbors. In 2007, a joint-report by the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime and the World Bank linked rising crime rates in Caribbean nations to an increase in drug-trafficking. In the 110th Congress, I introduced H. Res. 1504 which calls for increased cooperation between U.S. and Caribbean officials to combat this problem. Last week, I came to this floor to express my support for provisions within H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2009 that added the Caribbean community (CARICOM), to the Merida Initiative. This initiative is a multi-year program that works in partnership with governments in Mexico, the nations of Central America, the Dominican Republic and Haiti to confront criminal organizations whose illicit actions undermine public safety, erode the rule of law, and threaten the national security of the United States.

I also expressed my appreciation for the Shirley A. Chisholm Educational Exchange Program authorized in the bill. These provisions promote security and education within the Caribbean community, fostering social and economic development abroad and keeping us safe at home.

Again it is my honor as a child of the Caribbean and my duty as the Representative of the 11th Congressional District of New York, to urge my colleagues to stand with me in supporting this Resolution. I thank Congresswoman Lee for leading the charge on this and for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 127) Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

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

On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Concurrent Resolution 127 for consideration. This resolution expresses our support for the goals and ideals of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Introduced by my colleague, Representative Barbara Lee of California, on May 14, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on June 18, 2009, House Concurrent Resolution 127 enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress.

Since June of 2005, Congress has taken time each year to recognize Americans of Caribbean descent for their significant contributions to American culture and history during National Caribbean Heritage Month.

Beginning as early as the year 1619, generations of Caribbean immigrants have come to America and significantly contributed their rich traditions and culture, ethnic, and religious diversity to our social fabric.

Regrettably, we must acknowledge that many Caribbean-Americans arrived against their own volition--as slaves and indentured servants, whose struggles for freedom continue to reverberate. Many others came to this country in search of a better life for themselves and their children; and today, over 5 million Americans proudly share Caribbean heritage.

Caribbean-Americans have offered lasting contributions to every sector of our society, from public service, science, and athletics to business, education, and entertainment.

Prominent Caribbean-Americans include such historical and cultural figures as Alexander Hamilton--who was born in the Caribbean region-- former Secretary of State Colin Powell; Eric Holder, our current Attorney General; and Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman and first African American candidate for President.

Other influential Caribbean-Americans include Harlem renaissance poet, Claude McKay; actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte; and Sidney Poitier, the first African American actor to receive an Academy Award for best performance in a leading role.

Mr. Speaker, these and countless other Caribbean-Americans have made invaluable contributions to our Nation, and it is fitting that we on honor them today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 127.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield such time as she may consume to the lead sponsor of this measure, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to a cosponsor of this measure, the gentlelady from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Donna Christensen.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Hank Johnson, also a cosponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I'd just ask all of our Members to support Ms. Barbara Lee, the lead sponsor of this legislation, in support of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, and I ask all of our Members to join her in that effort.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to a question of the privileges of the House and offer the resolution previously noticed.

I do, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, rule IX regarding questions of the

privilege of the House states that questions of privilege shall be first those affecting the rights of the House collectively, its safety, dignity, and the integrity of its proceedings. The integrity of its proceedings.

Mr. Speaker, clearly, the unprecedented actions that have been taken by the Democrats in charge have disenfranchised every single Member of this House. Appropriations bills have been, by tradition and previously by rule, brought to the floor under what's called an ``open rule,'' which means that every single Member of the House has an opportunity to affect the bill, to represent his or her constituents.

Each of us represents basically the same number of folks, 650,000, 675,000. When Members are not allowed to bring amendments to the floor on the spending of their constituents' tax money, that disenfranchises those Members. That is an affront to the House. It presents an indignity to the House.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the closed rule that was passed recently, yesterday, resulted in more closed rules on appropriations bills in this House of Representatives by this leadership, by these Democrats in charge, more than any in the history, not of this decade, not of this century, but in the history of this Republic. Mr. Speaker, in the history of this Republic.

Now, I know my friend from California says that this is not the way we want things to operate, but, Mr. Speaker, they control the process. They control the process. They control this tyranny. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed tyranny. It's tyranny by the majority. It's what de Tocqueville warned about over 150 years ago when he said that the majority can indeed shut down the rights of the minority. And that's exactly what is happening, which is why this resolution ought to be a privileged resolution, because what it directs the Rules Committee to do is to return to regular order; return to a process that allows each and every one of us to represent our constituents; return to a process that Mr. Obey, then in the minority on the Appropriations Committee, said, ``We have gotten so far from the regular order that I fear that if this continues, the House will not have the capacity to return to the precedents and procedures of the House that have given true meaning to the term `representative democracy.' The reason we have stuck to regular order as long as we have in this Institution is to protect the rights of every Member to participate. And when we lose those rights, we lose the right to be called the greatest deliberative body in the world.''

Mr. Speaker, the tyranny of this majority, the tyranny of the folks in charge right now, have resulted in an affront on this House. Those actions, these actions have clearly violated the integrity of our proceedings. Therefore, I believe that this resolution qualifies as a privileged resolution of this House.

I yield back.

Mr. Speaker, I appeal the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support of H. Con. Res 127, which recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

As a child of Jamaican grandparents, I understand the importance of recognizing the influence Caribbean cultures continues to have on all facets of these United States. Growing up, my grandmother who hails from Jamaica, instilled in me a strong appreciation for her Caribbean values. As a result of my upbringing, I have adopted a strong work ethic and tremendous pride in my heritage. As a parent, I have passed on these same values to my own children, so they will develop a sense of pride in their Caribbean heritage and acknowledge the many roles Caribbean people play in shaping this nation. I whole-heartedly support this resolution that commemorates Caribbean heritage, history, culture and contributions to the United States.

In her 1970 autobiography, Shirley Chislom, the first black woman elected to Congress, credited her success to the education she received while attending school in Barbados. She wrote, ``Years later I would know what an important gift my parents had given me by seeing to it that I had my early education in the strict, traditional, British-style schools of Barbados. If I speak and write easily now, that early education is the main reason.''

This is a nation built by immigrants. From as early as the 17th century there have been individuals from the Caribbean Islands, working here in the United States as indentured servants in the colony of Jamestown, Virginia. They worked in fields picking cotton, tobacco and crops just as the slaves did.

Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society since its founding. Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury, was from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. We count among our famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, W.E.B. Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to name a few.

H. Con. Res. 127 recognizes the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. Our nation would not be what it is today without these significant contributions of the Caribbean people and we should honor these accomplishments with the passing of this legislation. The contributions of Caribbean-Americans are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States and play an important role in shaping the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States, which ultimately enriches and strengthens our nation.

By passing this legislation we continue to honor the friendship between the United States and Caribbean countries. We are united by our common values and shared history, and we should celebrate the rich Caribbean Heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this nation.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Caribbean countries.