[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 765 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 765

 Recognizing the significance of the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and 
    Tobago's independence to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and 
 supporting the goals and ideals of Trinidad and Tobago's Independence 
                                  Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 2, 2012

Ms. Clarke of New York (for herself, Mr. Rangel, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. 
Engel, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. 
  Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. West, Mr. Rush, Ms. 
Wilson of Florida, Ms. Lee of California, and Mr. Towns) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the significance of the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and 
    Tobago's independence to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and 
 supporting the goals and ideals of Trinidad and Tobago's Independence 
                                  Day.

Whereas, on August 31, 2012, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will celebrate 
        their 50th anniversary of independence from Great Britain;
Whereas Trinidad was under Spanish possession until it was ceded to Britain in 
        1802;
Whereas Tobago was under British rule until 1814;
Whereas the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago became one state in 1889 after 
        being under European rule over 400 years prior to their independence;
Whereas August 31, 1962, marks the full independence, sovereignty, and birth of 
        a nation and is also the day that the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago's 
        raised its flag;
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago's red, black, and white flag 
        connects the nation's people to the past present and future;
Whereas the red base of the flag represents the vigor of the land, the 
        friendliness and courage of its people, and the sun;
Whereas the black represents the unity and strength of the people, as well as 
        the natural wealth of the country;
Whereas the white represents the surrounding sea and the purity and equality of 
        all people under the sun;
Whereas the Honorable Doctor Eric Eustace Williams, known as the father of the 
        nation and leader of the People's National Movement governed from 1956 
        until his death in 1981 as the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and 
        Tobago;
Whereas Trinidad and Tobago has a very rich cultural heritage that includes the 
        invention of a world renowned Carnival, the steelpan drum, the only 
        musical instrument invented within the 20th century, and musical styles 
        such as Calypso, Soca, Chutney, and Limbo that are all national 
        trademarks known and recognized across the world;
Whereas the United States is home to a large Trinidadian and Tobagonian Diaspora 
        community that has greatly contributed to the United States culture and 
        history;
Whereas prominent Trinidadian and Tobagonian Americans like Larry Felix, the 
        Director for the United States Engraving and Printing, activist in the 
        civil rights movement and leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating 
        Committee (SNCC), Stokely Carmichael, basketball Hall of Famer, Kareem 
        Abdul-Jabbar, playwright Steve Carter, and actresses Tatyana Ali and Nia 
        Long have contributed greatly to the social and political landscape of 
        the United States;
Whereas Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment 
        opportunity for international businesses and has one of the highest 
        growth rates and per capita incomes in the Caribbean;
Whereas Trinidad and Tobago is the leading producer of oil and gas in the 
        Caribbean, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these natural 
        resources;
Whereas Trinidad and Tobago also supplies manufactured goods, notably food 
        products and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region and 
        has transitioned from an oil-based economy to a natural gas based 
        economy;
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has become economically self 
        sufficient and has continued to thrive independently over the past 50 
        years; and
Whereas August 31, 2012, is recognized as Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
significance of the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago's 
independence to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and supports the 
goals and ideals of Trinidad and Tobago's Independence Day.
                                 <all>