[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 241 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 241

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should 
         be established a ``Haitian-American Heritage Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 19, 2003

Mr. Meek of Florida (for himself, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Payne, 
and Mr. Deutsch) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                 to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should 
         be established a ``Haitian-American Heritage Month''.

Whereas the histories of the United States and Haiti are inextricably 
        intertwined;
Whereas the United States and Haiti share a common bond of mutual values and a 
        long-standing commitment to democratic principles;
Whereas Haitians and Americans fought side-by-side in the American Revolution at 
        Savannah, Georgia in 1779;
Whereas Major Joseph Savary, a Haitian and the first black major in the United 
        States Army, led the Second Battalion of Freemen of Color which fought 
        under General Andrews;
Whereas Haiti was the second country in the Western Hemisphere, after the United 
        States, to revolt against European colonial rule and win its 
        independence;
Whereas May 18th is Flag Day and is the most celebrated holiday in Haiti and is 
        also celebrated by people of Haitian descent throughout the world;
Whereas the United States was founded and built by immigrants from every country 
        in the world, including Haiti, and the strength of the United States 
        lies in its diversity;
Whereas an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States are of Haitian 
        descent and approximately 700,000 of them live in Florida;
Whereas Haitian-Americans are noted for their achievements in literature, music, 
        business, and the arts;
Whereas Haitian-Americans have deeply enriched American culture and play 
        significant roles in shaping the United States;
Whereas May is a time of celebration, cultural awareness, and traditional 
        observance for Haitian-Americans; and
Whereas May is an appropriate month to establish as ``Haitian-American Heritage 
        Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) a ``Haitian-American Heritage Month'' should be 
        established; and
            (2) the people of the United States should observe the 
        month with appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and 
        activities.
                                 <all>