Barbara Lee Introduces Caribbean American Heritage Month Resolution
For Immediate Release
May 14, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a resolution that would recognize June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
“Americans of Caribbean ancestry reside in every part of the country,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Millions have emigrated from the Caribbean to the United States since before our nation’s founding. Throughout our history, Caribbean-Americans have served our country and contributed to the heritage of the United States through the arts, science, education, business, sports, military and government. This resolution will allow Congress to continue recognizing the important contributions of Caribbean-Americans to our nation’s history.”
In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, authored by Congresswoman Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year, bipartisan and bicameral effort. Since the resolution’s passage, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
# # #