Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles B. Rangel recently joined his colleagues as a member of the newly created Congressional Caribbean Caucus, which aims to further develop and strengthen the economic and social relationship between the United States and the Caribbean region.

"During my time in Congress, I have been a friend to the Caribbean and its people. I am very pleased in the re-establishment of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus in honor of the late Representative Donald M. Payne, who was a tireless advocate for Africa," said Rangel. "My hope is that through this caucus, more members of Congress will be able to share the love that I have for a region I care so deeply for."

The Caribbean Caucus' primary mission is to provide a platform for members of Congress to work collaboratively with the U.S. Government, Diaspora groups, CARICOM and other Non Governmental Organizations in order to increase cross cultural, historical, political and economic understanding.  Beginning from his earlier years in the United States Congress, Rangel has always had a passion to bring the United States and the Caribbean together.  He has fought for the resources necessary to combat narcotics and drug-related crimes, and has battled tariff barriers that previously made it difficult for Caribbean people to export their goods.

Rangel added, "For years the Caribbean was unable to flourish due to ill-established foreign trade policies.  I fought for the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) in the early '80s in order to foster development in this region by eliminating the tariffs on Caribbean exports to the United States."