Washington, DC -Members of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean People International Collective, Inc (CPIC) descended on Washington, DC Hill last week as part of the group's inaugural "Caribbean Days on Capitol Hill Conference."  During the three-day meeting, attendees and speakers examined and discussed various economic, immigration, health and behavioral issues that affect the Caribbean's ability to economically empower the region.  The conference culminated with visits to the U.S. Congress to lobby members on issues vitally important to the Caribbean community.

Dawn Stewart and Gordon Lyken of East Flatbush, along with Ludmilla Wikkeling-Scott of the Caribbean Public Health Coalition on AIDS spoke with Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) and stressed the need to support funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in all Caribbean countries not just a select few.

 "Fighting the AIDS pandemic requires a comprehensive approach," said Towns.  "If we limit our efforts to just a few countries, this deadly disease will then take off in those Caribbean nations where we did not educate people and fund preventive measures.  Most Caribbean nations do not have a strong health infrastructure in place. So if we fail to act now, this virus will ravage the entire region."

 In addition to heath care issues, conference goers stressed the importance of increasing the involvement of U.S. voters of Caribbean descent.  The group is launching a voter education campaign called, "Soca the Vote 2004," in hopes of registering newly eligible voters.  The nationwide campaign begins on February 29th.

 "I am pleased that CPIC is taking a leading role in trying to get more people of Caribbean heritage involved in the political process," said the Towns.  "The best way to ensure that their issues and concerns are heard is to vote for political representation that is also committed to their causes."  

 Founded in 1995, CPIC is a non-profit volunteer organization whose primary mission is to improve the quality of life for people of Caribbean descent in the U.S. and the Caribbean, with an emphasis on health, education and family. 

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