Pennsylvania HR 161: A Resolution designating the month of May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1217
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 161
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, VITALI, HILL-EVANS, KHAN,
SCHLOSSBERG, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, HADDOCK, MERSKI, NEILSON,
FREEMAN, VENKAT, BRENNAN, DALEY, HOHENSTEIN, KENYATTA, GREEN
AND PASHINSKI, APRIL 1, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, APRIL 1, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Haiti is the third largest Caribbean country and the
first Black Republic in the world; and
WHEREAS, When Haitians gained independence, they renamed
their country to its native Taino name of Ayiti, or "Land of
Mountains"; and
WHEREAS, From 1791 to 1804, Haitians led a revolution against
French colonialists that ultimately resulted in their
independence; and
WHEREAS, Haiti was also the first nation to permanently ban
slavery, largely contributing to Great Britain's decision to
abolish the transatlantic slave trade; and
WHEREAS, The Haitian flag was adopted on May 18, 1803, to
symbolize the "pride, resilience, and spirit of the Haitian
people in their fight for freedom and independence"; and
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WHEREAS, Haiti has supported the independence of countries
such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Greece; and
WHEREAS, As a result of Haiti's support of liberation in
other countries, many nations have paid homage to Haiti by using
the Haitian flag as a model for their own flags; and
WHEREAS, By forcing Napoleon Bonaparte to sell what is now
the state of Louisiana, the Haitian Revolution led to the
Louisiana Purchase and territorial expansion of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, The cultural influence of Haitians on United States
society and culture has only grown since Haitians first started
emigrating to the United States in 1790; and
WHEREAS, As of 2023, there were approximately 1.15 million
Haitian individuals residing in the United States, including
those born in Haiti and of Haitian descent; and
WHEREAS, "Haitian Heritage Month" is an extension of "Haitian
Flag Day" on May 18, a day that encourages patriotism in Haiti
and the diaspora; and
WHEREAS, "Haitian Heritage Month" is recognized across the
globe and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the culture,
art, cuisine and traditions of Haiti and its people; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.
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