Expressing support for the designation of the first Saturday in May as “National Lowrider Day”.

Expressing support for the designation of the first Saturday in May as “National Lowrider Day”.

Whereas lowriders and lowrider culture can be traced back to 1940s Chicano communities across the American Southwest;

Whereas lowrider culture embodies the spirit of “low and slow” and demonstrates the beauty of peaceful cruising;

Whereas lowriders, both the drivers and cars, have strong pride, style, and community identity;

Whereas lowrider vehicles are mobile works of art that showcase elaborate paint work, shiny chrome, intricate upholstery, and state-of-the-art craftsmanship and hydraulics;

Whereas lowriders have historically served as a form of cultural identity for Latino communities and a means of resistance in the face of discrimination;

Whereas lowriders were persecuted and prosecuted for the mere act of driving their artwork down the road;

Whereas lowrider clubs support communities across the United States through service, mentorship, charity events, car shows, and cultural celebrations;

Whereas the artistry and mechanical innovations of lowriders hold deep influences on American popular culture, art, music, and fashion;

Whereas, in recent years, multiple States and local governments overturned bans on cruising, recognizing the cultural and economic value of lowrider events and gatherings;

Whereas cities across the United States now officially recognize and celebrate lowrider culture through public art, cultural institutions, and community events;

Whereas, in recent years, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency has supported youth lowrider bike building programs for at-risk kids;

Whereas the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service share the history and culture of lowriders through two exhibitions, “Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture” at the museum in Washington, DC, and the traveling exhibition, “Lowrider Culture in the United States/Cultura Lowrider en los Estados Unidos,” which will visit communities across the country through 2029;

Whereas lowrider culture reflects core American values of creativity, freedom of expression, innovation, and community building; and

Whereas the first Saturday of May is a fitting time to celebrate “National Lowrider Day”, as the weather across the United States becomes more favorable for cruising: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes and celebrates lowrider culture as an integral part of the historical and cultural fabric of the United States;

(2) honors the contributions of lowrider builders, artists, families, and clubs who have preserved and promoted the lowriding tradition for generations;

(3) recognizes the importance of lowrider culture as a method of community building;

(4) acknowledges the challenges faced by the lowrider community, including discrimination and criminalization; and

(5) calls upon local, State, and Federal entities to support public events and educational programs that honor lowrider culture and heritage.