II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3656 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 24, 2024 Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Cornyn , and Mr. Booker ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To direct the President to designate a month as African Diaspora Heritage Month.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the African Diaspora Heritage Month Act of 2024 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the African diaspora population in the United States has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of African immigrants growing at a rate of almost 246 percent from 2000 to 2019; (2) the African diaspora community is one of the most diverse communities in the United States, inclusive of people who speak multiple languages, whose rich heritage comes from all across the African continent, and whose members practice various faiths; (3) during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of enslaved people from Africa were brought to the United States; (4) immigrants of African origin boast some of the highest educational achievements of any immigrant group; (5) African diaspora households contribute billions of dollars to the economy of the United States, with an estimated $10,100,000,000 in Federal taxes, $4,700,000,000 in State and local taxes, and a spending power of more than $40,300,000,000 in 2015; (6) Sub-Saharan African immigrants living in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere sent back $46,000,000,000 in remittances to the continent of Africa in 2021; (7) Government agencies, including the International Development Finance Corporation, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, and the United States Trade Representative are critical to investments and enduring mutual partnerships between the United States and African nations; (8) in 2021, through the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. ), the United States imported $6,700,000,000 in goods; (9) Prosper Africa and other similar Government initiatives are critical to building and strengthening ties between the United States and African businesses; (10) the total two-way goods trade with Sub-Saharan Africa totaled $44,800,000,000 in 2021, a 21.8-percent increase from $36,700,000,000 in 2019; (11) the African diaspora plays an invaluable role in shaping Government policy; (12) members of the African diaspora have an invaluable understanding of cross-cultural engagement between the United States and Africa, existing relations and networks on the African continent, and can support efforts to facilitate stronger ties between the United States and Africa; (13) the United States is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationships between the United States and countries throughout the African continent; (14) Congress strongly supports the hosting of the second United States-Africa Leaders Summit by the United States, which was held in December 2022, to boost collaboration between the Government and the African diaspora community in the United States, and to strengthen ties between the United States and African nations by bringing together approximately 49 African heads of state; (15) the African diaspora harbors a deep commitment to family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to succeed and contribute to the society of the United States; (16) all members of the African diaspora in the United States deserve access to any Federal resources they are legally eligible to receive and freedom to participate in civil life in the United States; (17) the United States is committed to strengthening the dialogue between the African diaspora and Government officials through the creation of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States; and (18) the African diaspora community significantly contributes to the growth and prosperity of the United States, and Congress honors this abundant and growing community. 3. African Diaspora Heritage Month (a) In general Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating the second section 146 as section 147; and (2) by adding at the end the following: 148. African Diaspora Heritage Month The President shall issue each year a proclamation— (1) designating a month as African Diaspora Heritage Month; (2) calling on State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe African Diaspora Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities; and (3) urging civil and educational authorities of States and local governments to observe African Diaspora Heritage Month through appropriate programs and activities. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to the second section 146 and inserting the following: 147. Choose Respect Day. 148. African Diaspora Heritage Month. .