Bill Text: DE HCR139 | 2025-2026 | 153rd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Recognizing June 2026 As “caribbean American Heritage Month” In The State Of Delaware.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11)
Status: (Engrossed) 2026-06-09 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT [HCR139 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2025-HCR139-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Rep. Wilson-Anton & Rep. Ortega & Rep. Phillips & Sen. Cruce & Sen. Hansen & Sen. Hoffner |
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Reps. Bolden, K. Johnson; Sens. Pinkney, Sokola |
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 139
RECOGNIZING JUNE 2026 AS “CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
WHEREAS, the vision of the National Caribbean American Heritage Month movement is an America where all the contributions of the diverse immigrants that have come to these shores are celebrated; and
WHEREAS, the mission of National Caribbean American Heritage Month is to promote the rich culture and heritage of the Caribbean American people and their contributions to the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, Caribbean Americans have played an active role in the civil rights movement and other social and political movements in the United States; and
WHEREAS, many influential Caribbean Americans have contributed to the rich history of the United States, including:
(1) Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the pioneer settler of Chicago.
(2) Claude McKay, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance.
(3) James Weldon Johnson, the writer of the Black National Anthem.
(4) Celia Cruz, the world-renowned queen of Salsa music.
(5) Sylvia Winter, influential feminist, writer, and human rights activist.
(6) John Brown Russwurm, co-founder of Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned newspaper.
(7) Harry Belafonte, a legendary musician, actor, and activist.
(8) Sir Sidney Poitier, the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, film director, and diplomat ; and
WHEREAS, many influential Caribbean Americans were also political figures, such as:
(1) Kamala Harris, the first African American Vice President.
(2) Colin Powell, the first African American Secretary of State.
(3) Eric Holder, the first African American Attorney General.
(4) Karine Jean-Pierre, the first African American White House Press Secretary.
(5) Deval Patrick, first African American Governor of Massachusetts.
(6) David Paterson, first legally blind and first African American to serve as Governor of New York State.
(7) Wes Moore, the first African American Governor of Maryland.
(8) Patrick Gaspard, labor union organizer and social justice advocate.
(9) Earl Graves, Sr., Founder of Black Enterprise.
(10) Kareem Abdul Jabbar, basketball great and social activist .
(11) Mervyn Dymally, the first African American Lieutenant Governor of California and first Caribbean immigrant to serve in Congress.
(12) Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman and first African American to run for a major party’s presidential nomination; and
WHEREAS, Caribbean Americans pioneered hip hop culture and contributed to its evolution, and include greats such as:
(1) Clive Campbell, known professionally as DJ Kool Her.
(2) Joseph Robert Saddler, known professionally as Grandmaster Flash.
(3) Douglas Davis, known professionally as Doug E. Fresh.
(4) Lawrence Parker, known professionally as KRS-One, and many others; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly acknowledges the significant contributions Caribbean Americans have made to our culture and heritage. Americans with roots in the Caribbean have greatly enriched our society, contributing to the arts, business, journalism, technology, government, religion, the military, sports, and many other fields.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the State of Delaware recognizes the month of June 2026 as “Caribbean American Heritage Month”.
SYNOPSIS
This Resolution recognizes the month of June 2026 as "Caribbean American Heritage Month" in the State of Delaware.
