Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR By Senator Brandes 24-03587-21 20212052__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution recognizing June as “Caribbean American Heritage Month” in Florida. 3

WHEREAS, from a region that conjures images of a scenic paradise, Caribbean Americans are as vibrant as the islands from which they come, possessing a wealth of talent and history that reverberates throughout this great state and nation, and

WHEREAS, emigration from the Caribbean region to the American colonies began as early as 1619, with the arrival of indentured workers in Jamestown, Virginia, and since 1820, 11 millions of people have emigrated from the Caribbean region to the United States, and

WHEREAS, as educators, authors, community leaders, 14 activists, athletes, artists, musicians, and politicians, 15 Caribbean Americans have made their mark in every facet of our society and have contributed to the betterment and diversity of our state and nation, and

WHEREAS, counted among many famous sons and daughters of the Caribbean are sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B. 20 Du Bois; United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton; United States Secretary of State Colin Powell; United States Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm; Oscar-nominated actress Cicely Tyson; Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier; author, poet, 24 and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson; musician, actor, 25 and social activist Harry Belafonte; Haitian Revolution General Henri Christophe; actor and author Louise Bennett-Coverley; 27 writer and nationalist leader José Martí; professor of literature Mayra Santos-Febres; and numerous others who have Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR 2052 24-03587-21 20212052__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. displayed great strength and resiliency while serving as pioneers among the people of the Caribbean, and

WHEREAS, in June 2005, the United States House of Representatives unanimously adopted a concurrent resolution recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States and observing the month of June as “Caribbean American Heritage Month,” and

WHEREAS, on February 14, 2006, the United States Senate unanimously passed the resolution, culminating a two-year bicameral effort, and

WHEREAS, since the passage of the resolution by the United States House of Representatives in 2005, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as “Caribbean American Heritage Month,” exemplifying the importance of this observance across the nation, and

WHEREAS, the United States has thrived as a country of immigrants, united by common values and by the promise of a better tomorrow,

NOW, THEREFORE, 48

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 50 That June is recognized as “Caribbean American Heritage Month” in Florida. 53