HONORING BUJU BANTON IN CELEBRATION OF REGGAE MONTH

HONORING BUJU BANTON IN CELEBRATION OF REGGAE MONTH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E176-E177] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING BUJU BANTON IN CELEBRATION OF REGGAE MONTH ______ HON. SHEILA CHERFILUS-McCORMICK of florida in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Buju Banton in Celebration of Reggae Month. I include in the Record the following proclamation: Wheareas, reggae music stands as a global symbol of resistance, love, spirituality, and cultural identity, rooted in the history and resilience of the Jamaican people and celebrated worldwide during Reggae Month; and Wheareas, Buju Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie in Kingston, Jamaica, has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential and celebrated figures in reggae and dancehall history, shaping the sound, message, and global reach of Caribbean music for more than three decades; and Wheareas, a Grammy Award--winning artist, cultural revolutionary, and musical educator, Buju Banton has produced an extraordinary body of work that includes timeless classics such as ``Champion,'' ``Love Me Brownin,'' and ``Destiny,'' while breaking records and expanding the global consciousness of reggae music beyond generations and borders; and Wheareas, through twelve studio albums and collaborations with legendary artists across genres, Buju Banton has consistently centered his music on themes of love, equality, African identity, spirituality, and liberation, using his voice to challenge injustice and uplift the oppressed; and Wheareas, his continued leadership in the revival of Roots Rock Reggae reinforces reggae's foundational message--that love is both the standard and the solution--while inspiring new generations to reconnect with the cultural, spiritual, and social power of the music; and [[Page E177]] Wheareas, Buju Banton's artistry represents the enduring strength of reggae as a force for healing, education, and unity, affirming its role as a living expression of Caribbean heritage and global humanity; and therefore, be it Resolved, That we, Florida's 20th Congressional District, proudly honor Buju Banton in celebration of Reggae Month, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to music, culture, and social consciousness, and expressing deep appreciation for his lasting impact on reggae music and the global community. ____________________