5622816 ACR 21-78, Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Caribbean-American Community Recognition Resolution of 2015

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

21-78  

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

June 30, 2015

 

To recognize National Caribbean-American Heritage Month and the Caribbean-American community as an integral and celebrated cultural community in the District of Columbia.

 

            WHEREAS, in 1996, residents of Caribbean heritage first conceived of a national celebration of Caribbean-American heritage, including Ward 4 residents Doreen Thompson, Denys Vaughn Cooke, Errol McLaren, and Robert Nichols, with Ward 1 resident Basil Buchanan;

 

            WHEREAS, Mayor Anthony Williams first proclaimed June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month is 2001, and the campaign moved to the national stage through the efforts of Dr. Claire Nelson of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, located in the District of Columbia;

 

            WHEREAS, Representative Barbara Lee of California spearheaded the bipartisan, bicameral legislative effort to recognize Caribbean-American Heritage Month nationally, appointing staff person Jamila Thompson, a Ward 5 resident of Caribbean heritage, to coordinate the policy strategy;

 

            WHEREAS, the efforts of Representative Lee and Jamila Thompson resulted in President George W. Bush declaring June 2006 as the inaugural National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, since recognized annually by the sitting President of the United States of America;

 

            WHEREAS, Caribbean immigrants have contributed to the well-being of American society since the country’s founding;

 

            WHEREAS, the District of Columbia has benefitted from Caribbean-Americans through their contributions to our city and nation, including the Ali family of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University, and entertainers with Caribbean roots, including Lamman Rucker and Dave Chappelle;

 

            WHEREAS, countless residents of Caribbean heritage serve the District of Columbia in the areas of public service, education, business, technology, health care, family services, the arts, and culture in every corner of the city; and

 

            WHEREAS, Ward 4 has been the historical base for the Caribbean community, continues to have the largest number of persons of Caribbean heritage in the District of Columbia, and includes many Caribbean-American restaurants and food businesses, as well as a major church of worship for the Caribbean community.

 

            IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the outstanding contributions and the valued accomplishments of the Caribbean-American community in the District of Columbia and the United State of America and recognizes District residents of Caribbean heritage on the occasion of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

           

Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Caribbean-American Community Recognition Resolution of 2015”.

 

            Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.