TALLAHASSEE – The Florida House of Representatives is urging Caribbean and other residents of the Sunshine State to join their ‘Caribbean Day’ celebration..the event is set for Wednesday April 15th between 10AM and Noon in the House of Chambers of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee.
It’s being presented by members: Hazelle Rogers – (D-Lauderhill), Oscar Braynon – (D-Miami Gardens), Ronald Brise – (D-North Miami), Dwight Bullard – (D-Miami), Jennifer Carroll – (R-Jacksonville), Gwyn Clark-Reed, (D-Pompano Beach), Yolly Roberson – (D-North Miami Beach), and Perry Thurston – (D-Ft. Lauderdale).
On 6/27/05 the House of Representatives approved H.Con.Res 71, a bill introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland, CA) to designate a national Caribbean-American Heritage month.
Caribbean American Heritage Month was first proclaimed in 2006 by President George W. Bush, who said in his proclamation “ . . . [W]e celebrate the great contributions of Caribbean Americans to the fabric of our Nation, and we pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Caribbean countries. . . . For centuries, Caribbean Americans have enriched our society and added to the strength of America. They have been leaders in government, sports, entertainment, the arts, and many other fields. . . . We are united by our common values and shared history, and I join all Americans in celebrating the rich Caribbean heritage.
Hazelle Rogers
As a freshman legislator serving in the Florida House of Representatives, Jamaican-born Hazelle Rogers stated: “it’s an honor and a distinct privilege to join my colleagues representing the islands of the Bahamas, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago-born representative Jennifer Carroll for this day of celebration.
This celebration in the Florida State legislature is a prelude, to acceptance of a Proclamation from Governor Charlie Crist—declaring the month of June of Caribbean Heritage Month.
