APRIL 5, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ICS LAUNCHES NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY COMPETITION

The Institute of Caribbean Studies announces (ICS) the first Annual, National Caribbean- American Heritage Month Youth Essay Competition. The competition is designed to commemorate the historic passage of a Congressional Resolution declaring JUNE as National, Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The Institute is partnering with area schools and colleges and organizations such as the University of the West Indies Alumni Association and others across the country to organize regional/local competitions. The winning entry for each regional/local competition will be judged in the national level competition and the grand winner will receive tickets for two to a Caribbean destination, Courtesy of BWIA.

The essay title is "Is immigration good for the United States" and the competition is open to 11th and 12th grade students in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the District of Columbia who have a Caribbean heritage as defined by the competition rules. The closing date for the competition is May 8, 2006 and winning entries in the local/regional competition will be announced on June 15, 2006. The official entry form may be obtained at www.icsdc.org.

ICS was the leading supporter of the Bill and hosted a successful campaign launch on Capitol Hill in June 2004 in support of JUNE as National, Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The Bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. ICS formed coalitions with TransAfrica Forum, the Caribbean Association of the World Bank and Fund, and the Caribbean Professional Networking Series to organize events in the Metropolitan Area. The Bill had its foundations in the first White House Briefing to the Caribbean Community in 1999 which followed the urging of ICS for recognition of a National Caribbean American Heritage Month, through the Clinton White House.

The passage of the Bill is important to the process of empowerment for the Caribbean American Community and a significant milestone in their collective efforts to preserve a rich culture and heritage while staking their claim in American. ICS is coordinating with Community leaders across the US in a month-long celebration marking the FIRST official commemoration of JUNE as Caribbean American Heritage Month. For more information on how you can become part of the National Commemorative Committee, contact Claire Nelson, Campaign Chair, at (202) 907-6140 or clairen@iadb.org.

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Institute of Caribbean Studies, P.O. Box 10544, Silver Spring, MD 20914