Pennsylvania HR 486: A Resolution recognizing September 12, 2024, as "National Police Woman Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3242
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 486
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, BURGOS, HARKINS, HOHENSTEIN,
PIELLI, SANCHEZ, RIVERA, FREEMAN, SHUSTERMAN, BRIGGS,
PASHINSKI, MALAGARI, STEELE, GIRAL, PROBST, MAYES AND
BELLMON, APRIL 20, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND
OPERATIONS, APRIL 21, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing July 5, 2026, as "Venezuelan Independence Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On July 5, 1811, after nearly 300 years on the
margins of the Spanish-American empire, Venezuela moved to the
forefront of the Latin-American independence movement and became
the first colony in the Americas to proclaim its independence
from Spain, which is why Venezuela commemorates this date as its
Independence Day; and
WHEREAS, That declaration of independence was followed by a
decade of complex and bloody conflict with Spain that saw the
rise of revolutionary leaders and the expansion of the struggle
for liberation across South America, as well as crucial support
from abroad, including a British and Irish legion and aid sent
by the newly formed Republic of Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Near the end of that decade of war, after the
patriot victory at the legendary Battle of Boyacá in 1819, the
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independence movement joined Venezuela with the territories that
are now Colombia, Panama and Ecuador to form the República de
Gran Colombia; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, with their combined forces united
through the República de Gran Colombia, the patriots won a
decisive battle at Carabobo in 1821, defeating the main Spanish
royalist army in Venezuela and freeing the nation from Spanish
control; and
WHEREAS, After the success of the Venezuelan War of
Independence, forces of the República de Gran Colombia further
shaped the course of world history and the struggle against
Spanish rule by helping to secure the liberation of Peru and
Upper Peru, the latter of which became Bolivia in 1825; and
WHEREAS, After the dissolution of the República de Gran
Colombia in 1830, Venezuela emerged as a separate sovereign
republic; and
WHEREAS, Though victorious, Venezuela's long war for
independence demanded extraordinary sacrifice, claiming more
than 250,000 lives; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia was an important center for Spanish-
American revolutionary activity as its printers, merchants and
intellectual circles helped spread the ideas of independence
across the Americas; and
WHEREAS, This environment in Philadelphia helped influence
Venezuelan independent thought, as future Venezuelan
revolutionaries who visited the city encountered ideas of
liberty, self-government and independence, promoted by leaders
of the American Revolution, and at least one Venezuelan
revolutionary leader fought in the American Revolutionary War
before joining Venezuela's own struggle for independence; and
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WHEREAS, Philadelphia still honors its ties with Venezuela's
independence legacy through a statue on the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway, dedicated in 1977 as a gift from the Venezuelan
government to the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Today, more than 6,500 Venezuelans reside in this
Commonwealth, making meaningful contributions to its civic,
cultural and community life; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing "Venezuelan Independence Day" in
Pennsylvania provides an opportunity to honor Venezuela's
historic struggle for self-determination, remember those who
gave their lives in that cause, acknowledge Pennsylvania's
historic ties to Venezuelan independence and celebrate the
Venezuelans who contribute to the life of this Commonwealth
today; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize July 5,
2026, as "Venezuelan Independence Day" in Pennsylvania.
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