[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 425 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 425

             Supporting the protection of the name Harlem.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 29, 2017

 Mr. Espaillat (for himself, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Jeffries, 
Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Meeks, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney 
   of New York, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Meng, and Mr. Engel) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
             Supporting the protection of the name Harlem.

Whereas Harlem is a treasure of New York and throughout its history has played a 
        significant role in shaping the culture and political landscape of the 
        United States;
Whereas the name Harlem is inextricably connected to its history and legacy;
Whereas since the early 20th century, Harlem has been recognized internationally 
        as a major residential, cultural, and business center with a strong 
        Black history;
Whereas the Harlem Renaissance attracted the greatest African American writers, 
        artists, musicians, and thinkers from across the country and allowed 
        these intellectuals to fully express themselves and thrive in their 
        fields;
Whereas the Harlem Renaissance redefined how the United States and the world 
        viewed African Americans and continues to inspire African American 
        artists and intellectuals to this day;
Whereas Harlem is an icon and capital of the African Diaspora;
Whereas thousands of foreigners travel to Harlem for tourism each week to learn 
        about and see the history of the neighborhood;
Whereas love for Harlem runs through the veins of longtime residents and 
        instantly inspires those who visit;
Whereas the deep love that residents' have for Harlem can be found for similarly 
        historical and influential neighborhoods around the world;
Whereas Harlem is a state of mind and way of being, and residents have long 
        possessed resilience, pride, and fearlessness;
Whereas Congressmen Adam Clayton Powell and Charles B. Rangel were born and 
        raised in Harlem and represented the neighborhood in the House of 
        Representatives for a combined 72 years;
Whereas Harlem's legacy has been instrumental in the legacies of Malcolm X, 
        Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, Harry Belafonte, W.E.B. Du Bois, Colin Powell, 
        Countee Cullen, Marcus Garvey, Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, Zora 
        Neale Hurston, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, 
        Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Bessie Smith, and Jacob Lawrence;
Whereas Harlem is home to 56 registered landmarks including Apollo Theater, 
        Harlem Hospital Center, Hotel Theresa, Mount Sinai Hospital, Rucker 
        Park, Savoy Ballroom, Strivers' Row, Sylvia's Soul Food, Lenox Lounge, 
        and Abyssinian Baptist Church; and
Whereas an attempt to rebrand Harlem as ``SoHa'' is insulting: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the protection of the name Harlem;
            (2) supports imposing limitations on the ability to change 
        the name of a neighborhood based on economic gain;
            (3) expresses support for the inclusion of community input 
        in any decision to change the name of the Harlem neighborhood;
            (4) expresses that a single entity should not have the 
        jurisdiction to change the name of a neighborhood;
            (5) encourages a formal and public vote as a requirement 
        for any change to the name of the neighborhood;
            (6) hopes that GPS manufacturers will recognize Harlem as 
        an official destination for travelers; and
            (7) encourages input from the community, consideration of 
        its residents, and a formal and public vote before any change 
        to the name or historical landmark of Harlem.
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