IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 764 
Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 2, 2012 
Ms. CLARKE of New York (for herself, Mr. RANGEL, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. 
ENGEL, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. DAVIS of Illi-
nois, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. WEST, Mr. 
RUSH, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Ms. LEE of California, and Mr. TOWNS) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of 
Jamaica’s independence. 
Whereas Jamaica gained its independence on August 6, 
1962; 
Whereas, on August 6, 2012, the island nation of Jamaica 
will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence; 
Whereas after years of Spanish and subsequent British colo-
nial rule, Jamaica, which is now a member of the British 
Commonwealth, finally acquired its independence from 
the British in 1962; 
Whereas August 6, 1962, signifies this full independence and 
a birth of a nation; 
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•HRES 764 IH 
Whereas this date also marks the date that the black, green, 
and gold Jamaican national flag was first raised; 
Whereas the first decade of independence led successively by 
Prime 
Ministers 
Alexander 
Bustamante, 
Donald 
Sangster, and Hugh Shearer of the Jamaica Labor Party 
(JLP), were marked by strong economic growth; 
Whereas following its first 10 years of independence, Jamaica 
was challenged by the effects of a global economic slow-
down and a growing sense of economic inequality, which 
prompted the electorate to change government, electing 
the People’s National Party (PNP) in 1972; 
Whereas through these challenging times, which continued 
into the mid-1980s, the Jamaican people remained united 
in their struggles, goals, aspirations, and dreams; 
Whereas Jamaica is the third largest island nation in the 
Caribbean and with 2,800,000 people and is the third 
most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after 
the United States and Canada; 
Whereas as the Jamaican people work to position the econ-
omy for growth and celebrate their 50th anniversary of 
independence, they reflect on their proud history, tri-
umphs, and the sacrifices made by their ancestors; 
Whereas the United States Government maintains close and 
productive relations with the Government of Jamaica; 
Whereas the United States is Jamaica’s most important trad-
ing partner; 
Whereas from January to August 2011, United States ex-
ports to Jamaica were $1,430,000,000 and Jamaican ex-
ports to the United States were $601,000,000; 
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•HRES 764 IH 
Whereas Jamaica is also a very popular destination for 
United States tourists; 
Whereas Jamaican culture had a strong influence that has 
been well received around the world, through its music, 
industry, literature, athletics and sports, academia, and 
cuisine; 
Whereas Jamaica was home to the internationally renowned 
musical legend Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s 
first national hero, model, singer, and actress, Grace 
Jones, and model and actor Tyson Beckford; 
Whereas sports and athletics are an integral part of national 
life in Jamaica and the athletes tend to perform to a 
standard well above what might ordinarily be expected of 
such a small country; 
Whereas Jamaica served as one of the venues of 2007 Cricket 
World Cup and the West Indies cricket team is one of 
the only 10 International Cricket Council full member 
teams who participate in international test cricket; 
Whereas the Jamaica national cricket team competes region-
ally, and also provides players for the West Indies Crick-
et Team; 
Whereas over the past 6 decades, Jamaica has produced doz-
ens of world class sprinters, among them are Olympic 
Gold medalist and World Champion Usain Bolt, current 
world record holder in the 100m for men at 9.58 seconds, 
and 200m for men at 19.19 seconds; 
Whereas other noteworthy Jamaican sprinters include Asafa 
Powell, gold medal winner in the men’s 2008 Olympic 
4x100m, Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the first Jamaican 
woman in history to win an Olympic gold medal in the 
100 m sprint, Arthur Wint, the first Jamaican Olympic 
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