We, the peoples of the Caribbean, both in the Homeland and in the Diaspora, will without doubt always remember the sixth month of the sixth year of the 21st century. It is both an historic and a momentous occasion, as on 5 June 2006 the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, officially proclaimed June 2006 - Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

For centuries, the United States of America has benefited from the contributions of the sons and daughters of the Caribbean. As recognised by the President, “We celebrate the great contributions of the Caribbean-American, to the fabric of our nation and we pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and Caribbean Countries. Our nation has thrived as a country of immigrants and we are more vibrant and hopeful because of the talent, faith and values of Caribbean-Americans. For centuries Caribbean-Americans have enriched our society and added to the strength of America.”

The President pointed to Caribbean-Americans being “leaders in Government, sports, entertainment, the arts and many other fields.” Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), lead sponsor of the Bill which was passed in the Congress in February of this year, and to whom goes our profound gratitude, cites a long list of Caribbean people and their descendants in this regard, including: “Alexander Hamilton, Hazel Scott, Sidney Poiter, Jean Michelle Basquit, Eric Holder, Colin Powell, Susan Taylor, Edwidge Danticat, Kelsey Grammer, Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable, Roberto Clemente, Maryse Condè, Cecily Tyson, Harry Belafonte, Celia Cruz, Mervyn Dymally and Shirley Chisholm.”  And this does not even include the great Marcus Garvey.  Congresswoman Lee and her co-sponsors truly deserve our gratitude for providing the voice that strongly called for the recognition of the people of the Caribbean Diaspora.

In marking this historic step in the strengthening of ties between the Caribbean and the United States - the joint progress of our peoples -  it would be remiss not to pay tribute to the Institute of Caribbean Studies for the very important role it has played in lobbying for the recognition of this month as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Since 1999, the Institute has been observing June as Caribbean-American Heritage month. In addition, its efforts to make the celebrations nationwide this year must be highly commended.

This is, therefore, definitely a time for celebration for the people of the Caribbean, be they in the Homeland or in the Diaspora. In so doing however, let us not forget the potential for greater benefits from such an observance. And, while we greatly value and give due praise to the sterling contributions Caribbean-Americans have made to the United States in a wide variety of fields, we must always remember the intrinsic bonds that forever bind the Diaspora to the Caribbean Region.

During the lecture series to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Caribbean Community, in 2003, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable P.J Patterson, used the occasion to speak directly to the Caribbean Diaspora. He was of the firm view that persons of Caribbean descent needed to come together to share the vision and advance concerns of common interest to all CARICOM countries, concerns relating to trade and investment issues, developments in US immigration policy, security matters, the narcotics trafficking, gun-smuggling and criminal deportees. The Caribbean Diaspora, he emphasised, needed to continue as an essential partner in Caribbean civilisation. All needed to be involved!

It is in this spirit that it behoves us all to keep working to strengthen the historical ties that bind the peoples of the Caribbean and of the United States as we launch this inaugural Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

8 JUNE 2006