Afro-Panamanian
In 1904 when the construction of the Panama Canal was taken over by the United States for the failure of the French company, will again resort to the West Indian worker. Although between 1904 and 1914 the vast majority of Afro-West Indians who arrived in Panama did a one-year contract with the idea of returning to their home islands once the offshore project, after construction of the canal many Afro-Antillean stayed in Panama. Afro-West Indians who remained in Panama many got jobs in the Canal Zone and became the largest immigrant group in Panama. On the subject of Afro-Antillean Panama, Leslie B. Rout said that when the canal was opened in 1914, some 20,000 African-West Indians remained in Panama.
Michael Blumenfeld
Mr. Blumenfeld was appointed Deputy Undersecretary of the Army in April, 1977, and shortly thereafter as Acting Assistant Secretary (Civil Works). President Carter nominated him as Assistant Secretary (ASA/CW) in January, 1979 and he received Senate confirmation later that year. As ASA(CW), he provided leadership to the Army Corps of Engineers, the Panama Canal Company, and the administration of the Arlington National Cemetery. In late 1979 he also became the first Chairman of the bi-national Panama Canal Commission, which was established by the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977, to administer the Canal until the turnover to Panama December 31, 1999.