Title: Celebrating the heritage of Romani Americans.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses remembrance for the genocide of Roma by Nazi Germany and its Axis partners and commemorates the 75th anniversary of the destruction of the "Gypsy Family Camp" where Romani people were interned at Auschwitz.
The resolution commends the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum for its role in promoting the remembrance of the Holocaust and education about the genocide of Roma.
The resolution also expresses support for International Roma Day as an opportunity to honor the culture, history, and heritage of the Romani people in the United States.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 292 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 292

             Celebrating the heritage of Romani Americans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 4, 2019

  Mr. Hastings (for himself and Mr. Watkins) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 
 in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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


 
             Celebrating the heritage of Romani Americans.

Whereas the Romani people trace their ancestry to the Indian subcontinent;
Whereas Roma have been a part of European immigration to the United States since 
        the colonial period and particularly following the abolition of the 
        enslavement of Roma in the historic Romanian principalities;
Whereas Roma live across the world and throughout the United States;
Whereas the Romani people have made distinct and important contributions in many 
        fields including agriculture, art, crafts, literature, medicine, 
        military service, music, sports, and science;
Whereas, on April 8, 1971, the First World Romani Congress met in London, 
        bringing Roma together from across Europe and the United States with the 
        goal of promoting transnational cooperation among Roma in combating 
        social marginalization and building a positive future for Roma 
        everywhere;
Whereas April 8 is therefore celebrated globally as International Roma Day;
Whereas Roma were victims of genocide carried out by Nazi Germany and its Axis 
        partners, and an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 Romani people were killed 
        by Nazis and their allies across Europe during World War II;
Whereas, on the night of August 2-3, 1944, the so-called ``Gypsy Family Camp'' 
        where Romani people were interned at Auschwitz-Birkenau was liquidated, 
        and in a single night, between 4,200 and 4,300 Romani men, women, and 
        children were killed in gas chambers;
Whereas 2019 is the 75th anniversary of that tragic event;
Whereas many countries are taking positive steps to remember and teach about the 
        genocide of Roma by Nazi Germany and its Axis partners; and
Whereas the United States Congress held its first hearing to examine the 
        situation of Roma in 1994: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) remembers the genocide of Roma by Nazi Germany and its 
        Axis partners and commemorates the 75th anniversary of the 
        destruction of the ``Gypsy Family Camp'' where Romani people 
        were interned at Auschwitz;
            (2) commends the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 
        for its role in promoting remembrance of the Holocaust and 
        educating about the genocide of Roma;
            (3) supports International Roma Day as an opportunity to 
        honor the culture, history, and heritage of the Romani people 
        in the United States as part of the larger Romani global 
        diaspora; and
            (4) welcomes the Department of State's participation in 
        ceremonies and events celebrating International Roma Day and 
        similar engagement by the United States Government.
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