US President George W. Bush waves as he boards Marine One at the White House in Washington D.C. on May 24. - REUTERS
WASHINGTON (CMC):
UNITED STATES President George W. Bush has declared the month of June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
In a White House proclamation Monday, Bush recognised the "great contributions" of Caribbean Americans to the fabric of America, and paid tribute to the "common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Caribbean countries."
VIBRANT, HOPEFUL
"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," he said.
Bush said for centuries, Caribbean-Americans have enriched American society and added to its strength.
"They have been leaders in government, sports, entertainment, the arts, and many other fields," he said.
During the month of June, Bush said America also honours the "friendship between the United States and the Caribbean countries".
"We are united by our common values and shared history," he said. "And I join all Americans in celebrating the rich Caribbean heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this nation."
Bush said he was encouraging "all Americans to learn more about the history of Caribbean Americans and their contributions to our nation."
Celebrations in honour of the first-ever Caribbean-American Heritage Month kicked off in Brooklyn last weekend, featuring the distinctive sounds, rhythms and flavour of the Caribbean.
'LOGICAL PLACE'
Officials at the Brooklyn Museum event said Brooklyn is the "logical place" to kick off a month honouring the borough that has been dubbed "the Caribbean capital of America."
"The whole of the Caribbean, whether English-speaking, French-speaking, Spanish- speaking, Dutch-speaking, Papiamento-speaking, have played a tremendous part in the development of every aspect of this country," said Trinidad & Tobago Consul General Harold Robertson.
