•HRES 297 IH 
Arabic and English, adding to the body of United States 
literature and reporting beginning with Nabeeb and 
Ibrahim Arbeely, editors of the first Arab American 
newspaper, Kawkab Amirka, the distinguished writer of 
the first Arab American novel, The Book of Khalid, 
Ameen Rihani, the renowned poet, writier and artist, au-
thor of The Prophet, among his other numerous writings, 
and founder of the Pen Bond writers, the beloved writer 
Kahlil Gibran, the late New York Times reporter An-
thony Shadid, White House Press Corps Correspondent 
Helen Thomas (recognized by the World Almanac as one 
of the 25 Most Influential Women in America), poet and 
writer Naomi Shihab Nye, novelist Diana Abu-Jaber, and 
hundreds more; 
Whereas Arab American women have provided excellent role 
models such as Emmy-winning actor, Marlo Thomas, ac-
tress Kathy Najimy, Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, Donna Shalala, artist and poet, Etel Adnan, 
NPR host Diane Reim, and the doctor who raised aware-
ness that children were being poisoned by lead in Flint, 
Michigan, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, plus all the women 
previously mentioned and thousands of other accom-
plished women not herein listed; 
Whereas Arab American Heritage Month is necessary to ad-
dress the misconceptions, misinformation, Arabophobia, 
anti-Arabism, and discrimination against Arab Americans 
by celebrating their accomplishments and providing fac-
tual information about Arab American culture and per-
sons and the need for public education, awareness, and 
policies that are culturally competent when describing, 
discussing, and addressing the impacts of being Arab 
American in all aspects of the United States society; 
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•HRES 297 IH 
Whereas, in 2017, Arab America established National Arab 
American Heritage Month (NAAHM), and President 
Biden recognized the celebration of National Arab Amer-
ican Heritage Month in an April 19th, 2021, letter to the 
Arab America Foundation, making him the first sitting 
United States President to do so; and the Department of 
State recognized April as National Arab American Herit-
age Month in 2021; 
Whereas at least 46 States and territories have taken steps 
to recognize April as National Arab American Heritage 
Month, including the Governments of Alabama, Arizona, 
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, 
the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis-
souri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, 
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, 
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, 
Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, 
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and 
Wyoming; 
Whereas numerous cities, towns, and counties across the 
United States have taken steps to recognize April as Na-
tional Arab American Heritage Month, including but not 
limited to: Los Angeles, CA; Orange County, CA; San 
Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Gainesville, FL; Orlando, 
FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Cook County, IL; Balti-
more, MD; Dallas, TX, Detroit, MI; Wayne County, MI; 
Dearborn, MI; Dearborn Heights, MI; Flint, MI; Yon-
kers, NY, Westchester County, NY; Raleigh, NC; Cuya-
hoga County, OH; Cleveland, OH; Toledo, OH; Portland, 
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•HRES 297 IH 
OR; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX; Alexandria, VA; Rich-
mond, VA; Milwaukee, WI; and Madison, WI; 
Whereas 4 States have passed permanent legislation desig-
nating the month of April as NAAHM including Illinois, 
Oregon, Virginia, the Indiana Senate, and several states 
are considering permanent legislation including, Ohio, 
New Jersey, Michigan, and Rhode Island; 
Whereas, on March 31, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden, 
Jr., proclaimed April 2023 as Arab American Heritage 
Month, becoming the first President to do so, the procla-
mation read in part, ‘‘Ours is a Nation shaped by the im-
migrant’s heart, and generations of brave and hopeful 
people from across all countries, including from the Arab 
world, have woven their unique heritages, customs, and 
talents into the tapestry of America.’’, the President con-
tinued, ‘‘The United States is the only Nation in the 
world founded on an idea—the idea that we are all cre-
ated equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout 
our lives. As a Nation, we have never fully lived up to 
that promise, but we have never walked away from it ei-
ther. This Arab American Heritage Month, let us all 
strive to honor our fundamental values and advance eq-
uity and opportunity for all people, affirming once again 
that diversity is our country’s greatest strength.’’; and 
Whereas that the incredible contributions and heritage of 
Arab Americans have helped build a better Nation: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of National Arab 
American Heritage Month; 
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•HRES 297 IH 
(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 
serve National Arab American Heritage Month with 
appropriate programs and activities that recognize 
and celebrate the unique contributions of Arab 
Americans. 
Æ 
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