LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim June 2010 as Caribbean American Heritage Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and
celebrate individuals, groups and events which add vitality, sensitiv-
ity, understanding and inspiration to the diversity and value of the
people of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim June 2010 as Caribbean Ameri-
can Heritage Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In commemoration of this auspicious occasion, APC Community
Services, Inc., a 501 (c) 3, community-based organization along with
Community Partners are celebrating Brooklyn's vast Caribbean population;
the event's theme is: "The Caribbean: Uniqueness and Diversity"; and
WHEREAS, With the United States Senate approval on February 14, 2006,
and a presidential proclamation on June 5, 2006, June has become
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month; with this, the "coloniza-
tion" of the Caribbean by the United States has been recorded in Ameri-
can History; this particular legislation, first introduced in the House
in 2004 by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, celebrates the contributions of
the Caribbean-Americans to American life and culture; and
WHEREAS, People of Caribbean ancestry who have become part of New York
State's lasting heritage by fighting against stereotypes, racism, and
insurmountable obstacles include, but are not limited to: Arthur Alfonso
Shomburg, Curator of the New York Public Library's Division of Negro
Literature, History, and Prints, and dedicated historian, writer and
collector; Malcolm X, a prominent figure in the black social movement of
the 1960s; Sidney Poitier, who altered the perception of race through
theatre and screen as an actor, producer and director; Colin Powell, a
four-star United States Army General and who eventually, became Secre-
tary of State; Alexander Hamilton, who became Congressman, founder of
the Bank of New York, first Secretary of the Treasury, and one of the
first supporters of the Constitution; and Jean Michel Basquiat, who
revolutionized the world of painting and drawing through the social
introduction of the urban black culture that marginally existed in the
1980s; and
WHEREAS, New York State has been, and continues to be, the home to
many distinguished people of Caribbean ancestry who have made their mark
in history as pertinent figures in their field, and who have succeeded;
these figures include: Shirley A. Chisholm, first African-American woman
elected to Congress, and who was also the co-founder of the National
Organization for Women (NOW) and a genuine activist, lecturer, and poli-
tical mentor; Marcus Moziah Garvey, who established, among other things,
the United Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.); Susan Taylor,
editor- in-chief of ESSENCE magazine; Harry Belafonte, who used his fame
as an entertainer in the cause for human rights; Hazel Scott, who
achieved acclaimed status for her classical and Jazz technique as a
pianist, and who became the first black woman to have her own television
show; Edwidge Danticat, who invigorated the voices of Haitians and
Haitian-Americans who experienced poverty through her writing; Maryse
Conde, acclaimed international author, who now teaches at Columbia
University in New York in the French and Romance Philology Department;
and Maurice Ashley, the first African-American to win the chess Grand-
master title; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to the people of
Caribbean ancestry who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
those events of historical significance which add strength, vigor and
inspiration to the cultural diversity and quality of life in the commu-
nities of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim June 2010 as Caribbe-
an American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and Dr. Janice Emanuel-Bunn, President, APC Community Services.