Today a bipartisan resolution addressing crime in the Caribbean region introduced by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. The resolution  (H. RES. 865) expresses that the United States government should assist Caribbean nations in taking specific measures toward reducing crime in that region.  Below are Congresswoman Clarke’s prepared remarks on H.RES. 865:

 “The release of the UN/World Bank report ‘Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean’ is a wake-up call for every American interested in the security of our nation.

As the report points out, a variety of factors, including some for which the U.S. is partly responsible—such as heavy illicit drug use and problematic deportation policies—have contributed to the Caribbean region having the highest crime rate in the world.

While today the region remains a wonderful place for Americans to visit, in the long-term, continuing these high levels of crime will wreak serious social, economic, and security troubles for many Caribbean countries.

Allowing this situation to deteriorate for years-to-come will undoubtedly create a security threat not just for the Caribbean states, but for also our own country, as an unstable Caribbean would create a vast hole in America’s border security.

Many of the problems identified by this report have long been recognized by Caribbean leaders.  Now, with the confirmation provided by this report in hand, the U.S. must partner with its Western Hemisphere neighbors and allies to find workable solutions that will help the people of the Caribbean and ensure the long-term security and stability of our region.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution calling for the U.S. to take up the solutions contained in a very important UN/World Bank report.  If we act now, we can help our allies to greatly reduce their crime levels before the situation becomes far less manageable.”

# # #