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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 777 Introduced in House (IH)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 777

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives, in recognition of 
 the contributions of the Haitian people to the history and culture of 
the United States, by establishing ``Haitian-American Heritage Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 25, 2006

   Mr. Meek of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives, in recognition of 
 the contributions of the Haitian people to the history and culture of 
the United States, by establishing ``Haitian-American Heritage Month''.

Whereas freemen from the French colony of Saint Domingue, now the Republic of 
        Haiti, fought alongside the United States Continental Army at the Siege 
        of Savannah in 1779;
Whereas Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a Haitian, built the first permanent 
        settlement of what later became the city of Chicago, Illinois, in 1779;
Whereas the significant loss of life and financial burden of the failed efforts 
        to quell Haiti's revolution prompted France to sell Louisiana to the 
        United States in 1803, territory that now comprises 22.3 percent of the 
        United States;
Whereas, on January 1, 1804, Haiti declared its independence from France to 
        become the world's first Black republic and the second democracy after 
        the United States;
Whereas Major Joseph Savary, a Haitian, was the first Black Major in the United 
        States Army, and led the Second Battalion of Freemen of Color at the 
        Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815, under then-General Andrew 
        Jackson, who became the first Governor of the Territory of Florida in 
        1821;
Whereas, in 1889, Frederic Douglas, the period's foremost spokesman on human 
        rights and prominent leader of the anti-slavery movement in the United 
        States, became the first United States Minister and Consul-General to 
        Haiti;
Whereas the longest occupancy of a foreign state by American troops was in 
        Haiti, circa 1915-1934;
Whereas an estimated 1,200,000 persons of Haitian descent now live throughout 
        the United States;
Whereas Haitians and their descendants have contributed greatly to the arts and 
        sciences, including John James Audubon, the acclaimed naturalist and 
        wildlife artist who inspired the American conservation society that 
        bears his namesake, and W.E.B. DuBois, the Haitian-American author and 
        political activist, who became one of the most prominent, intellectual 
        leaders of African-American society during the twentieth century;
Whereas the close proximity of Haiti to American shores, in conjunction with our 
        common bond of mutual values and commitment to democracy, ensures 
        lasting comity of nations and continued trade and diplomatic relations;
Whereas Haiti--the only republic to rise from a successful slave rebellion--
        inspires pride, solidarity, and self-reliance;
Whereas the last Sunday of May is commemorated in Haiti as Mother's Day;
Whereas the 18th of May is Flag Day, the most celebrated holiday in Haiti, and 
        is observed by people of Haitian descent throughout the world;
Whereas in Miami, Florida, home to the largest Haitian-American population in 
        the United States, there are numerous cultural events and celebrations 
        planned during the month of May to honor Haitian heritage; and
Whereas May is an appropriate month to establish a Haitian-American Heritage 
        Month: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) ``Haitian-American Heritage Month'' be established; and
            (2) the people of the United States should observe the 
        month with appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and 
        activities.
                                 <all>
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