IV 

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, 


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•HRES 777 IH 

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; 


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•HRES 777 IH 

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 HaitianAmerican 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 HaitianAmerican Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 

3 (1) ‘‘Haitian-American Heritage Month’’ be es4 tablished; and 

5 (2) the people of the United States should ob6 serve the month with appropriate ceremonies, cele7 brations, and activities. 

Æ 


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