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WASHINGTON, DC June 1, 2018 (CMC) – United States President, Donald John Trump, has proclaimed June, as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, saying Washington honours its “long-shared history with our neighbours in the Caribbean and celebrate the Caribbean Americans who have enriched our nation”.
In a White House proclamation, Trump said “Caribbean-Americans embody the American spirit, with their talents and hard work contributing greatly to America’s economy.
“They protect our citizens as law enforcement officers, serve our communities as public officials, and mentor our country’s young people as educators.”
“Through their tremendous athleticism and determination, they have brought pride to the hearts of the American people, as members of numerous US Olympic teams. Their leadership and resolve have made incredible contributions to our society,” he added.
As trailblazers, Trump said Americans, with Caribbean roots, have “sewn their own unique thread into the fabric of our nation”, noting that Dr. William Thornton, a native of the British Virgin Islands, designed the United States Capitol and is generally considered the first “Architect of the Capitol”.
Trump also noted that Jean Baptiste du Sable, the first permanent resident of Chicago, was born in Haiti.
Widely recognized as the “Founder of Chicago”, Trump said du Sable’s “prosperous trade settlement has become one of the most iconic cities in the world”.
“This month, we acknowledge the numerous contributions of Caribbean-Americans to our nation, including those of the more than 4 million Caribbean-Americans, who live in the United States, today,” Trump said.
“We are also deeply grateful to the many Caribbean-Americans, who have served, or are currently serving, our country as members of our Armed Forces,” he said, urging all Americans to join in celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Caribbean-Americans “with appropriate ceremonies and activities”.
