110 HRES 909 EH: Commemorating the courage of the Haitian U.S. House of Representatives 2008-02-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 909 In the House of Representatives, U. S., February 12, 2008 RESOLUTION Commemorating the courage of the Haitian soldiers that fought for American independence in the Siege of Savannah and for Haiti’s independence and renunciation of slavery.

Whereas in the fall of 1779, Haitian soldiers of the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint Domingue volunteered to join in the fight for American independence; Whereas the unit was comprised of over 500 men of color from the island of Haiti; Whereas on October 9, 1779, the soldiers of Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint Domingue served as the largest unit of soldiers of African descent to fight in the Siege of Savannah; Whereas records show that over 500 men sailed treacherous waters to join the effort against the British; Whereas over 300 of them lost their lives attempting to drive the British from Savannah; Whereas the Savannah Monument, a project of the Haitian American Historical Society represents the Haitian soldiers that fought in the Siege of Savannah; Whereas the Savannah Monument was erected in Savannah, Georgia on Monday, October 8, 2007, to recognize the Haitian involvement in the fight for American independence; and Whereas the Savannah Monument includes a statue of a 12-year-old drummer boy, depicting Mr. Henri Christophe, who became a leader in Haiti’s Revolution to gain independence and renounce slavery: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives commemorates the courage of the Haitian soldiers that fought for American independence in the Siege of Savannah and for Haiti’s independence and renunciation of slavery.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.