IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 372 
Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 2, 2017 
Ms. LEE (for herself, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. DEUTCH, Ms. MOORE, 
Ms. PLASKETT, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. HASTINGS, and Ms. MAXINE WATERS 
of California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean American 
Heritage Month. 
Whereas people of Caribbean heritage are found in every 
State of the Union; 
Whereas over 2.7 million people with Caribbean heritage live 
in the United States; 
Whereas emigration from the Caribbean region to the Amer-
ican colonies began as early as 1619 with the arrival of 
indentured workers in Jamestown, Virginia; 
Whereas, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a signifi-
cant number of slaves from the Caribbean region were 
brought to the United States; 
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Whereas, since 1820, millions of people have emigrated from 
the Caribbean region to the United States; 
Whereas, like the United States, the countries of the Carib-
bean faced obstacles of slavery and colonialism and strug-
gled for independence; 
Whereas, also like the United States, the people of the Carib-
bean region have diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and reli-
gious backgrounds; 
Whereas the independence movements throughout the Carib-
bean during the 1960s and the consequential establish-
ment of independent democratic countries in the Carib-
bean strengthened ties between the region and the United 
States; 
Whereas Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the 
United States and the first Secretary of the Treasury, 
was born in the Caribbean; 
Whereas many influential Caribbean Americans have contrib-
uted to the rich history of the United States, including 
Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the pioneer settler of Chi-
cago; Claude McKay, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance; 
James Weldon Johnson, the writer of the Black National 
Anthem; Celia Cruz, the world-renowned queen of Salsa 
music; and Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American 
Congresswoman and first African-American woman can-
didate for President; 
Whereas the many influential Caribbean Americans in the 
history of the United States also include Colin Powell, 
the first African-American Secretary of State; Eric Hold-
er, the first African-American Attorney General; Audre 
Lorde, influential feminist, writer, and civil rights activ-
ist; Jean-Michel Basquiat, widely respected Brooklyn- 
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•HRES 372 IH 
based painter and social commentator; Sidney Poitier, the 
first African-American actor to receive the Academy 
Award for best actor in a leading role; Harry Belafonte, 
a musician, actor, and activist; Al Roker, a meteorologist 
and television personality; and Roberto Clemente, the 
first Latino inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; 
Whereas Caribbean Americans have played an active role in 
the civil rights movement and other social and political 
movements in the United States; 
Whereas Caribbean Americans have contributed to every as-
pect of our society, including greatly to the fine arts, edu-
cation, business, literature, journalism, sports, fashion, 
politics, government, the military, music, science, medi-
cine, technology, and other fields in the United States; 
Whereas Caribbean Americans share their culture through 
festivals, carnivals, music, dance, film, and literature, 
which enrich the cultural landscape of the United States; 
Whereas the countries of the Caribbean are important eco-
nomic partners of the United States; 
Whereas the countries of the Caribbean represent the United 
States third border; 
Whereas the people of the Caribbean region share the hopes 
and aspirations of the people of the United States for 
peace and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere 
and the rest of the world; and 
Whereas, since the passage of H. Con. Res. 71 in the 109th 
Congress by both the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives, a proclamation has been issued annually by 
the President declaring June National Caribbean Amer-
ican Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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(1) supports the goals and ideals of Caribbean 
American Heritage Month; 
(2) encourages the people of the United States 
to observe Caribbean American Heritage Month with 
appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and activities; 
and 
(3) affirms that— 
(A) the contributions of Caribbean Ameri-
cans are a significant part of the history, 
progress, and heritage of the United States; 
and 
(B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the 
United States enriches and strengthens the Na-
tion. 
Æ 
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