February 16, 2005
As a member of Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee and the bipartisan Caribbean Caucus, Rep. Lee wanted to recognize the role that Caribbean people and their descendants have played in the United States. The bill was introduced with 29 original co-sponsors.
“It is important that we work to strengthen our relations with Caribbean governments,” said Rep. Lee. “It is also important that we address the concerns of Caribbean-Americans residing in our districts. From 1820 to 2002, millions of people emigrated from the Caribbean region to the United States. Caribbean-Americans have influenced every aspect of American culture, society and government. Their history is interwoven with ours.”
Rep. Lee co-chaired the Congressional Black Caucus memorial service for Shirley Chisholm, the country’s first Black Congresswoman, on Tuesday. Chisholm, a Caribbean-American, was Rep. Lee’s friend and mentor, whose Presidential campaign in 1972 first inspired Lee to get involved with politics.
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Rep. Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Designate a Caribbean-American Heritage Month
(Washington, DC) – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation this week to designate a national Caribbean-American Heritage month. The bill acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the United States since the inception of the country and recommends June as the month for observation.As a member of Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee and the bipartisan Caribbean Caucus, Rep. Lee wanted to recognize the role that Caribbean people and their descendants have played in the United States. The bill was introduced with 29 original co-sponsors.
“It is important that we work to strengthen our relations with Caribbean governments,” said Rep. Lee. “It is also important that we address the concerns of Caribbean-Americans residing in our districts. From 1820 to 2002, millions of people emigrated from the Caribbean region to the United States. Caribbean-Americans have influenced every aspect of American culture, society and government. Their history is interwoven with ours.”
Rep. Lee co-chaired the Congressional Black Caucus memorial service for Shirley Chisholm, the country’s first Black Congresswoman, on Tuesday. Chisholm, a Caribbean-American, was Rep. Lee’s friend and mentor, whose Presidential campaign in 1972 first inspired Lee to get involved with politics.
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