IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 948 
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 
MAY 1, 2020 
Ms. TLAIB (for herself, Ms. SHALALA, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. 
CARSON of Indiana, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. 
KILDEE, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. LEVIN of Michigan, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ, Ms. OMAR, Mr. 
SOTO, and Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ) 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, 2020, through April 30, 2020, the 
United States celebrates Arab American Heritage Month; 
Whereas for over a century, Arab Americans have been mak-
ing valuable contributions to every aspect of American so-
ciety, in medicine, law, business, technology, civic engage-
ment, government, and culture; 
Whereas since migrating to America, people of Arab descent 
have shared their rich culture and traditions with neigh-
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•HRES 948 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 im-
portant 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 strength-
en 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 high-
lighting inclusion and understanding of all peoples; 
Whereas the first Arabic speaker to come to North America, 
Zammouri, arrived an enslaved person 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 Ameri-
cans of Arab descent came to visit the United States 
from the Arab world and helped grow this country by cre-
ating businesses in the United States; 
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; 
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•HRES 948 IH 
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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of Arab American 
Heritage Month; 
(2) esteems the integral role of Arab Americans 
in the economy, culture, and identity of the United 
States; and 
(3) urges the people of the United States to ob-
serve Arab American Heritage Month with appro-
priate programs and activities that celebrate the 
contributions of Arab Americans to the United 
States. 
Æ 
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