IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 335 

Expressing support for the recognition of April as Arab American Heritage 

Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Arab Americans in 

the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 30, 2019 

Ms. SHALALA (for herself, Ms. TLAIB, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. 

PERLMUTTER, Mr. SOTO, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. LEVIN of Michigan, Mr. 

LEWIS, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. DEAN, Mr. CRIST, and Ms. 

OCASIO-CORTEZ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Oversight and Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the recognition of April as Arab 

American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage 

and culture of Arab Americans in the United States. 

Whereas, from April 1, 2019, through April 30, 2019, the 

United States celebrates Arab American Heritage Month; 

Whereas for over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to every aspect of American society—in medicine, law, business, technology, civic engagement, government, and culture; 

Whereas since migrating to America, people of Arab descent 

have shared their rich culture and traditions with neighVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:47 Apr 30, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR335.IH HR335

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•HRES 335 IH 

bors and friends, while also setting fine examples of 

model citizens and public servants; 

Whereas Arab Americans have brought with them to America 

their resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication 

to education, and diversity in faith and creed that have 

added strength to our democracy; 

Whereas writer Ameen Rihani’s 1911 masterpiece, ‘‘The 

Book of Khalid’’, the first Arab-American novel, is an important record of Arab immigration to the ‘‘Little Syria’’ 

community of Lower Manhattan and today is a powerful 

example of the potential of the United States to strengthen ties with the Arab world; 

Whereas Arab-American poet Kahlil Gibran’s masterpiece, 

‘‘The Prophet’’, was a transformative piece of literature, 

with over 100 translations, making it one of the most 

translated books in history and discusses topics of the 

human condition in the most eloquent of ways by highlighting inclusion and understanding of all peoples; 

Whereas the first Arabic speaker to come to North America, 

Zammouri, arrived as a slave from Morocco in 1528 and 

was an important explorer of the present day American 

Southwest; 

Whereas world fairs were one of many ways that some Americans of Arab descent came to visit the United States 

from the Arab world and helped grow this country by creating businesses in the United States; 

Whereas entertainer Danny Thomas founded the St. Jude 

Children’s Research Hospital in the 1950s in Memphis, 

Tennessee, and today it is the leading institution in treating children with cancer as well as in researching new 

treatments; 


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•HRES 335 IH 

Whereas since opening, St. Jude has been providing free 

treatment to all children regardless of their religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity—a shining example of philanthropy and inclusivity; 

Whereas the Arab American Institute estimates that there 

are roughly 3,700,000 Arab Americans living in the 

United States; 

Whereas, according to Census Bureau data, Arabic is one of 

the fastest growing languages in the United States; 

Whereas there is a need for public education, awareness, and 

policies that are culturally competent when describing, 

discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Arab 

American in all aspects of American society, including 

discourse and policy; and 

Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Arab 

Americans have helped us build a better Nation: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of Arab American 

3 Heritage Month; 

4 (2) esteems the integral role of Arab Americans 

5 in the economy, culture, and identity of the United 

6 States; and 

7 (3) urges the people of the United States to ob8 serve Arab American Heritage Month with appro9 priate programs and activities that celebrate the 


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1 contributions of Arab Americans to the United 

2 States. 

Æ 


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