[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 520 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 520

 Recognizing the significance of the 45th anniversary of Kwanzaa Week.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 18, 2012

 Ms. Waters submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
            the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the significance of the 45th anniversary of Kwanzaa Week.

Whereas Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates 
        family, community, and culture and is observed each year by an estimated 
        40,000,000 people throughout the world African community on every 
        continent in the world;
Whereas Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an internationally 
        recognized scholar and an author, professor, and chair of Africana 
        Studies at California State University, Long Beach, and the founder and 
        chairman of The Organization Us, in order to reaffirm African-Americans' 
        rootedness in African culture, to provide a context in which Africans 
        around the world could come together and reinforce the bonds between 
        them and to introduce the Nguzo Saba and reaffirm the importance of 
        African communitarian values which stress and strengthen family, 
        community, and culture;
Whereas Kwanzaa is a profound expression of African people's commitment to their 
        cultural values and heritage, an annual reaffirmation and reinforcement 
        of the bonds between them as a people and a celebration of themselves 
        and their history;
Whereas the core principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, are Umoja (Unity), 
        Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and 
        Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba 
        (Creativity), and Imani (Faith), and these principles are positive, 
        proactive, and contributive to the building and development of the 
        community and African people;
Whereas Kwanzaa is organized around the fundamental cultural activities of the 
        ingathering of the people; special reverence for the Creator and 
        creation; commemoration of the past; recommitment to the highest African 
        values; and celebration of the Good, as outlined in Dr. Karenga's 
        authoritative work on Kwanzaa titled ``Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, 
        Community and Culture''; and
Whereas Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1 and mayors, 
        city councils, and State legislatures across the country have issued 
        official proclamations designating these dates as ``Kwanzaa Week'' in 
        recognition and respect of the cultural significance of this holiday to 
        African people throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors does hereby--
            (1) recognizes the significance of the 45th anniversary of 
        ``Kwanzaa Week''; and
            (2) commends Dr. Maulana Karenga for his scholarship, 
        creativity, commitment, and vision in creating this holiday and 
        introducing the Nguzo Saba as a core value system which 
        contributes significantly to community development and the 
        enrichment of national and human values and culture.
                                 <all>