FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 7, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jeanette.lenoir@mail.house.gov

c: 202.480.5737

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (US-VI), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus, released the following statement regarding their recent meetings with ambassadors and diplomats from the CARICOM Region:

“On the eve of the Summit of the Americas, we met with the diplomatic corps of Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and Grenadines, to discuss how our caucus can best aid their nations through the distinct and shared challenges they face. Recently, two of our co-chairs, Rep. Waters and Rep. Plaskett, had the pleasure to discuss the important issues facing the Caribbean region with ten Caribbean heads of state during a congressional delegation to the region led by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. We were pleased to have had the opportunity to continue those conversations prior to the Summit of the Americas and hear from the ambassadors who are representing their countries and carrying out the agendas of their countries as led by the heads of state,” said the Co-Chairs. “Our caucus thanks the diplomats not only for taking the time to join us for these critical discussions, but for their ceaseless and selfless work on behalf of the nations they serve. Through the many difficulties and hardships of recent years, the proud people of the Caribbean have persevered – that is in no small part due to the dedicated leadership of public servants like those who compose their diplomatic corps. Their determination and passion were inspiring, and we look forward to continuing these conversations and working together in the years to come. The US-Caribbean relationship is long and close, and it needs to be closer. Following the Summit of the Americas, we will be working to ensure that the US continues to engage with the region, bringing US and Caribbean leaders together to confront the challenges we face in pursuit of a better future for all of the people of our region.”

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