Washington, D.C. - Mr. Speaker, It is a pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to the Republic of Cape Verde. July 5, 2005 marks the 30th anniversary of this island nation’s independence from Portugal and it will be celebrated by Cape Verdeans worldwide.
After an almost 20-year struggle for improved economic, social and political conditions, on July 5, 1975, under the leadership of revolutionary Amilicar Cabral, the Republic of Cape Verde emerged a country with strong economic aspirations and a commitment to the continuance of a fair and equitable society.
In 1991, the Republic of Cape Verde transitioned from a single political party to a multi-party system with no conflicts or civil unrest.
Located approximately 385 miles off the West African coast, this 10 island archipelago has developed into a key center for regional and international investment. The country’s monetary and fiscal policies have made this young nation a showcase for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, recently signed a historic five-year Compact in excess of $110 million with the Republic of Cape Verde to support the country’s goal of poverty reduction and economic growth. This agreement is a testament to Cape Verde’s strong commitment to transparency and good governance, and to putting in place a policy framework that uses aid effectively.
The official language of the Republic of Cape Verde is Portuguese, but the population speaks a crioulo dialect. The rich crioulo musical and poetic tradition is filled with old fashioned stories of love, exotic journeys and family.
In the mid-19th century, Cape Verdeans were renowned for being great seafaring people, skilled in whaling and craftsmanship in the repair of ships. As a result, many Cape Verdeans settled in different parts of the world.
It is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the Republic of Cape Verde on this occasion.
