Washington (August 1, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives and the most senior U.S. government official of Cabo Verdean ancestry, introduced a Congressional resolution recognizing half a century of the independence of the Republic of Cabo Verde and celebrating the contributions of Cabo Verdean-Americans to democracy in Cabo Verde and the United States.
“Since the 18th century, Cabo Verdean-Americans have contributed so much to the historical tapestry that is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, New England, and the United States, through the whaling industry, packet trading, fishing, cranberry cultivation, entertainment, politics, academia, and much more,” said Senator Markey. “Massachusetts is blessed to be home to the largest Cabo Verdean community in the United States. I am immensely proud to represent this community and recognize their achievements. As Cabo Verde celebrates half a century of independence this month, we should all celebrate how this small archipelago has become a model of good governance that upholds the principles of freedom and democracy.”
“Cabo Verde is a leading democracy in Africa with a strong commitment to the rule of law, human rights and democratic values. The nation is in a strategically important geopolitical location and has served as a reliable and loyal partner to the United States,” said Leader Jeffries. “As one of the only Members of Congress with Cabo Verdean roots, it is my honor to join Senator Markey in introducing this resolution to mark 50 years of Cabo Verde’s independence.”
A copy of the resolution can be found HERE.
Cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). Cosponsors in the House of Representatives include Representatives Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Steven Hosford (NV-04), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), James McGovern (MA-02), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Bill Keating (MA-09).
“I’m glad to support this Senate resolution recognizing Cabo Verdean Independence Day. Rhode Island’s wonderful Cabo Verdean community has forged a strong bond between the Ocean State and Cabo Verde, and I’m already looking forward to celebrating the jubilee next year,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“For over two centuries, Cabo Verdeans have been a vital part of trade and commerce with the United States as well as culture and stability in West Africa. This resolution rightly recognizes Cabo Verdean-Americans’ countless contributions to our country and their dedication to protecting democratic values around the world,” said Senator Welch. “We proudly join this small but mighty archipelago in celebrating its 49th anniversary of independence and look forward to strengthening the bond between our nations.”
“I am immensely proud to be a Cabo Verdean American woman and to have had the opportunity to be raised in a beautiful blend of both cultures,” said Massachusetts State Senator Liz Miranda. “Acknowledging that Cabo Verdeans have had an over two-hundred-year history with the United States and that we have contributed to the fabric of this nation is a critical step in strengthening bonds between both nations. I am appreciative of Senator Markey and Senate members for the recognition of the Republic of Cabo Verde's 49th anniversary of independence in session.”
“I’m extremely proud to be an American with Cabo Verdean heritage today, knowing that a resolution is being introduced to the United States Congress that recognizes the important history and contributions of Cabo Verdean Americans to the US on this 49th year of Cabo Verde’s independence,” said John Barros, former Chief of Economic Development for the City of Boston. “This history has been an important foundation to the bilateral relationship shared by Cabo Verde and the United States as trade and political allies.”
“This important and symbolic Resolution points to the many reasons why Cabo Verde should be proud of its 49 years as an independent and free country. Indeed, our success stems from the fact that, since our national independence, we have implemented policies and programs aimed at the prosperity of our population, as well as the promotion of good governance and a stable democratic system, based on solid pillars such as the protection of fundamental human rights and civil liberties, values that we proudly share with the great nation that is the United States of America,” said the Minister of Communities of the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde Jorge Santos. “At this very moment when we are celebrating the 49th anniversary of our National Independence and thirty decades of our Democratic Constitution, the compasses that guide our development, we are proud of the partnership we have established with the United States, a country with which we share historic ties of friendship and cooperation that predate the birth of the new Cabo Verdean Republic on July 5, 1975, when our political independence was proclaimed, and which have been indispensable in our - arduous - struggle for progress, equity and justice, and the reduction of poverty.”
“If, as is said, speaking a language entails ‘assuming a culture and supporting the weight of a civilization,’ Cabo Verdeans have contributed to the natural movement of history by forging a transnational society linked by and through culture,” said Bridgewater State University Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Studies Director, Angelo Barbosa, and Professor Joao Rosa. “Reflected in the works of cultural icons like Horace Silver and Tavares, as well as the human cost in every military engagement since the founding of this country, the contributions of Cabo Verdeans to U.S. life and culture, have been written in, and paid for in blood.”
In October 2016, Senator Markey led a Congressional delegation to Praia, Cabo Verde, with former Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), where they met with high-ranking government officials, including Defense Minister and Foreign Minister Luis Filipe Tavares, and Minister of Economy and Employment José Gonçalves. The purpose of this delegation was to discuss issues related to Cabo Verde’s Zika outbreak and other health and health systems challenges.
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