Florida Senate - 2018                            (NP)    SR 1912
       
       
        
       By Senator Campbell
       
       
       
       
       
       38-02222A-18                                          20181912__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing June 2018 as “Caribbean
    3         Heritage Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, from a region that conjures images of a scenic
    6  paradise, Caribbean Americans are as vibrant as the islands from
    7  which they come, possessing a wealth of talent and history that
    8  reverberates throughout this great state and nation, and
    9         WHEREAS, as educators, authors, community leaders,
   10  activists, athletes, artists, musicians, and politicians,
   11  Caribbean Americans have made their mark in every facet of our
   12  society and have contributed to the betterment and diversity of
   13  our state and nation, and
   14         WHEREAS, counted among many famous sons and daughters of
   15  the Caribbean are civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois; United
   16  States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton; United
   17  States Secretary of State Colin Powell; United States
   18  Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm; Oscar-nominated actress Cicely
   19  Tyson; Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier; author, poet, and
   20  civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson; musician, actor, and
   21  social activist Harry Belafonte; Haitian Revolution General
   22  Henri Christophe; actor and author Louise Bennett-Coverley; and
   23  numerous others who have displayed great strength and resiliency
   24  while serving as pioneers among the people of the Caribbean, and
   25         WHEREAS, in 2008, Trinidad and Tobago-born former
   26  Lieutenant Governor and former State Representative Jennifer
   27  Carroll, along with Jamaica-born former House member and current
   28  City of Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Hazelle Rogers, decided to
   29  officially recognize the significance of people of the Caribbean
   30  Diaspora and their descendants in the history and culture of
   31  Florida by establishing the first Caribbean Recognition Day in
   32  the Florida House of Representatives, and
   33         WHEREAS, Ms. Carroll and Mayor Rogers wanted to teach
   34  communities about the great contributions Caribbean Americans,
   35  with their rich mixture of Caribbean and African influences,
   36  have made to this state, enriching the strength of America with
   37  leaders in government, education, medicine, business, sports,
   38  entertainment, and many other fields, and
   39         WHEREAS, we recognize the outstanding contributions to this
   40  state by the chair of this great event, Senator Daphne Campbell;
   41  her co-chair, Mayor Rogers; and her vice chair, Ms. Carroll, and
   42  express the gratitude of all Floridians for their service, and
   43         WHEREAS, this initial legislative celebration was a prelude
   44  to the issuance of a proclamation by then-Governor Charlie Crist
   45  which declared the month of June as “Caribbean Heritage Month”
   46  in Florida, and
   47         WHEREAS, the United States has thrived as a country of
   48  immigrants, united by common values and by the promise of a
   49  better tomorrow, NOW, THEREFORE,
   50  
   51  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   52  
   53         That June 2018 is recognized as “Caribbean Heritage Month”
   54  in Florida and all communities and individuals throughout the
   55  state are encouraged to honor their cultural and historical
   56  bonds and be reminded that America’s greatness lies in its
   57  diversity.