[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6266-6267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      INTRODUCTION OF H. RES. 777

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced H. Res. 777, 
which would establish a month as Haitian-American Heritage Month.
  I think it is important to recognize the many influences of the 
Haitian people to the history and culture of the United States.
  Since our Revolutionary War, Haitians have allied themselves with the 
United States, sharing our common values of democratic governance and 
self-determination. While their country was still bound by servitude, 
Haitian freemen fought alongside U.S. troops at the Siege of Savannah 
in 1779, even as their own fate remained uncertain at home.
  It was eight years after the end of our revolution that Haitians rose 
up to fight for their own independence from France--a struggle for 
freedom that was to play a key role in U.S. history.
  In an effort to subjugate the Haitian people and suppress Haiti's 
revolution, France assembled in Haiti the largest expeditionary force 
it had ever sent to the Americas, composed of its very finest troops. 
However, by 1803, France had lost most of these troops and expended 
countless resources. As a result, instead of fortifying and exploiting 
its position in Louisiana, France was forced to sell it to the United 
States. In what became known as the Louisiana Purchase, this territory 
now comprises 22.3 percent of the United States.
  Haiti's independence, which was officially declared in 1804, made it 
the first black republic in the world; the second democracy in our 
hemisphere; and the only country born of a successful slave revolt.
  Haitians and their descendents have been instrumental in numerous 
American achievements in the sciences, in the arts, in our culture and 
in our commerce.
  During the month of May, these contributions and accomplishments will 
be commemorated in Miami, Florida as part of community-wide, Haitian-
American heritage celebrations. These events correspond with numerous 
Haitian holidays that are observed throughout the month of May.
  In light of these events, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues 
to support the passage of H. Res. 777 as an appropriate way for our 
government to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Haiti to our 
nation.

                              H. Res. 777

       Whereas freemen from the French colony of Saint Domingue, 
     now the Republic of Haiti, fought alongside the United States 
     Continental Army at the Siege of Savannah in 1779;
       Whereas Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a Haitian, built the 
     first permanent settlement of what later became the city of 
     Chicago, Illinois, in 1779;
       Whereas the significant loss of life and financial burden 
     of the failed efforts to quell Haiti's revolution prompted 
     France to sell Louisiana to the United States in 1803, 
     territory that now comprises 22.3 percent of the United 
     States;
       Whereas, on January 1, 1804, Haiti declared its 
     independence from France to become the world's first Black 
     republic and the second democracy after the United States;
       Whereas Major Joseph Savary, a Haitian, was the first Black 
     Major in the United States Army, and led the Second Battalion 
     of Freemen of Color at the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 
     1815, under then-General Andrew Jackson, who became the first 
     Governor of the Territory of Florida in 1821;
       Whereas, in 1889, Frederic Douglas, the period's foremost 
     spokesman on human rights and prominent leader of the anti-
     slavery movement in the United States, became the first 
     United States Minister and Consul-General to Haiti;
       Whereas the longest occupancy of a foreign state by 
     American troops was in Haiti, circa 1915-1934;
       Whereas an estimated 1,200,000 persons of Haitian descent 
     now live throughout the United States;
       Whereas Haitians and their descendants have contributed 
     greatly to the arts and sciences, including John James 
     Audubon, the acclaimed naturalist and wildlife artist who

[[Page 6267]]

     inspired the American conservation society that bears his 
     namesake, and W.E.B. DuBois, the Haitian-American author and 
     political activist, who became one of the most prominent, 
     intellectual leaders of African-American society during the 
     twentieth century;
       Whereas the close proximity of Haiti to American shores, in 
     conjunction with our common bond of mutual values and 
     commitment to democracy, ensures lasting comity of nations 
     and continued trade and diplomatic relations;
       Whereas Haiti--the only republic to rise from a successful 
     slave rebellion--inspires pride, solidarity, and self-
     reliance;
       Whereas the last Sunday of May is commemorated in Haiti as 
     Mother's Day;
       Whereas the 18th of May is Flag Day, the most celebrated 
     holiday in Haiti, and is observed by people of Haitian 
     descent throughout the world;
       Whereas in Miami, Florida, home to the largest Haitian-
     American population in the United States, there are numerous 
     cultural events and celebrations planned during the month of 
     May to honor Haitian heritage; and
       Whereas May is an appropriate month to establish a Haitian-
     American Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) ``Haitian-American Heritage Month'' be established; and
       (2) the people of the United States should observe the 
     month with appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and 
     activities.

                          ____________________