IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 670 

Commemorating the 30th annual event of the All Souls Procession in Tucson, 

Arizona, and calling for an end to migrant deaths along the United 

States-Mexico border. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 31, 2019 

Mr. GRIJALVA submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 

in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating the 30th annual event of the All Souls Procession in Tucson, Arizona, and calling for an end to 

migrant deaths along the United States-Mexico border. 

Whereas, on November 2 each year, the United States celebrates All Souls’ Day, also known as Dı ́a de los Muertos 

or Day of the Dead, to honor friends, family members, 

and loved ones who have passed; 

Whereas the All Souls Procession in Tucson, Arizona, organized by Many Mouths, One Stomach, will be celebrating 

its 30th annual event on November 3, 2019; 

Whereas, the All Souls Procession began in 1990 under the 

leadership of local Tucson artist, Susan Johnson, and has 


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•HRES 670 IH 

brought together people from across the Tucson community; 

Whereas the All Souls Procession was created to serve the 

public need to mourn, reflect, and celebrate the universal 

experience of death, through their ancestors, loved ones, 

and the living, and culminates in the ceremonial burning 

of a large urn filled with hopes, offerings, and wishes of 

the public for those who have passed; 

Whereas the All Souls Procession has grown to become one 

of the largest community-created, noncommercial processions nationwide with over 150,000 participants each 

year; 

Whereas the All Souls Procession includes multiple creative 

projects including the Children’s Altar dedicated to the 

living memory of young souls whose lives remain active 

in our hearts, our minds, and our acts; 

Whereas the All Souls Procession is made possible with generous support from community organizers and artists 

across southern Arizona along with the city of Tucson, 

Tucson Police and Fire Departments, local businesses, 

and civic organizations; 

Whereas many migrants who attempt to enter the United 

States arrive to the region seeking safety, protection, and 

to be reunited with loved ones and family; 

Whereas border communities have a tradition of providing 

respite and care to arriving migrants; 

Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimates that 

7,505 migrants died crossing the United States-Mexico 

border between 1998 and 2018, not including missing 

migrants who have never been found; 


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•HRES 670 IH 

Whereas 12 migrants died in 2018 while in custody of U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement; 

Whereas the International Organization of Migration estimates that 340 migrants have died in the United StatesMexico border region thus far in 2019; and 

Whereas the United States has a legal obligation to uphold 

international law and must respect the rights of people 

seeking asylum and to uphold the inherent human dignity 

of each migrant person in its capacity: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the annual celebration of All 

3 Souls’ Day; 

4 (2) commemorates the 30th annual event of the 

5 All Souls Procession in Tucson, Arizona; and 

6 (3) urges the United States and the Depart7 ment of Homeland Security to promote policies that 

8 uphold the inherent human dignity of each migrant 

9 person and to put an end to migrant deaths along 

10 the United States-Mexico border. 

Æ 


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