[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 335 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 335

   Expressing support for the recognition of April as Arab American 
    Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Arab 
                    Americans in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 30, 2019

 Ms. Shalala (for herself, Ms. Tlaib, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. 
Perlmutter, Mr. Soto, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Mr. Lewis, Ms. 
  Stevens, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Dean, Mr. Crist, and Ms. Ocasio-Cortez) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                        on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support for the recognition of April as Arab American 
    Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Arab 
                    Americans in the United States.

Whereas, from April 1, 2019, through April 30, 2019, the United States 
        celebrates Arab American Heritage Month;
Whereas for over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable 
        contributions to every aspect of American society--in medicine, law, 
        business, technology, civic engagement, government, and culture;
Whereas since migrating to America, people of Arab descent have shared their 
        rich culture and traditions with neighbors and friends, while also 
        setting fine examples of model citizens and public servants;
Whereas Arab Americans have brought with them to America their resilient family 
        values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in 
        faith and creed that have added strength to our democracy;
Whereas writer Ameen Rihani's 1911 masterpiece, ``The Book of Khalid'', the 
        first Arab-American novel, is an important record of Arab immigration to 
        the ``Little Syria'' community of Lower Manhattan and today is a 
        powerful example of the potential of the United States to strengthen 
        ties with the Arab world;
Whereas Arab-American poet Kahlil Gibran's masterpiece, ``The Prophet'', was a 
        transformative piece of literature, with over 100 translations, making 
        it one of the most translated books in history and discusses topics of 
        the human condition in the most eloquent of ways by highlighting 
        inclusion and understanding of all peoples;
Whereas the first Arabic speaker to come to North America, Zammouri, arrived as 
        a slave from Morocco in 1528 and was an important explorer of the 
        present day American Southwest;
Whereas world fairs were one of many ways that some Americans of Arab descent 
        came to visit the United States from the Arab world and helped grow this 
        country by creating businesses in the United States;
Whereas entertainer Danny Thomas founded the St. Jude Children's Research 
        Hospital in the 1950s in Memphis, Tennessee, and today it is the leading 
        institution in treating children with cancer as well as in researching 
        new treatments;
Whereas since opening, St. Jude has been providing free treatment to all 
        children regardless of their religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity--
        a shining example of philanthropy and inclusivity;
Whereas the Arab American Institute estimates that there are roughly 3,700,000 
        Arab Americans living in the United States;
Whereas, according to Census Bureau data, Arabic is one of the fastest growing 
        languages in the United States;
Whereas there is a need for public education, awareness, and policies that are 
        culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the 
        impacts of being Arab American in all aspects of American society, 
        including discourse and policy; and
Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Arab Americans have helped 
        us build a better Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of Arab American Heritage 
        Month;
            (2) esteems the integral role of Arab Americans in the 
        economy, culture, and identity of the United States; and
            (3) urges the people of the United States to observe Arab 
        American Heritage Month with appropriate programs and 
        activities that celebrate the contributions of Arab Americans 
        to the United States.
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