New York K 1314: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026 as Haitian Heritage Month in the State of New York

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K01314 Summary:

BILL NOK01314 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORRules (Bichotte Hermelyn)

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSRAlvarez, Brown K, Burroughs, Buttenschon, Carroll P, Colton, Cook, Dais, Fitzpatrick, Forrest,
 Glick, Griffin, Hyndman, Kay, Levenberg, McDonald, Santabarbara, Shimsky, Williams, Yeger

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&nbsp

Go to top K01314 Actions:

BILL NOK01314 

&nbsp

05/08/2026referred to calendar

05/11/2026adopted

Go to topK01314 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topK01314 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topK01314 Text:

Assembly Resolution No. 1314

BY: M. of A. Rules (Bichotte Hermelyn)

 MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
 May 2026, as Haitian Heritage Month in the State of
 New York

 WHEREAS, Haitian Heritage Month, recognized globally during the
month of May, celebrates the rich culture of Haiti and its people,
including their history, language, distinctive art, delicious foods and
cuisines; and

 WHEREAS, The purpose of the month is to raise awareness and
Understanding about Haitian culture, history and traditions; by
educating the historical contributions Haitian people have made to the
United States and to the world; and celebrate these Haitian achievements
across the globe; and

 WHEREAS, Haiti's history is of vital significance and pride for its
people and has crucial global importance, representing a new concept of
human rights, universal citizenship, and participation in government
through the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804); and

 WHEREAS, The Haitian Revolution is one the largest and the first
successful slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere; starting with the
founding act of the Revolution by Dutty Boukman, a slave transferred
from British colonial Jamaica to French colonial Saint Domingue, was a
Houngan, or Vodou priest, who led the ceremony of Bois Caiman on the
night of August 14, 1791; and

 WHEREAS, In 1793, Toussaint L'Ouverture, former slave of the French
colony and born with the name Francois Dominique Toussaint, was a
Haitian General who led to the success of enslaved Africans gaining
autonomy in Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti; and

 WHEREAS, Jean Jacques Dessalines, a former slave, lead a mighty
group of Haitians, Africans and Blacks during the Haitian Revolution as
the General, who emerged after Toussaint L'Overture was captured, that
defeated Napoleon Bonaparte and the French colonists at the Battle of
Vertieres at the end of 1803 to become the first Black ruler of the
first independent Black republic in the world; and

 WHEREAS, Henry Christophe became Toussaint Louverture's Chief
Lieutenant fighting the French, British, and the Spaniards and later
became President of Haiti in 1806 where he introduced a monetary system,
declared Catholicism the state religion, and established schools and
hospitals including a basic school of medicine; and

 WHEREAS, The Haitian flag was designed by Jean Jacques Dessalines
and was adopted on May 18, 1803, at the Congress of Arcahaie, which was
held to establish the united command of the revolutionary army under the
supreme authority of Jean-Jacques Dessalines; and

 WHEREAS, Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of Haitian Flag Day,
a national Haitian Holiday celebrated annually on May 18th, serving as a

major patriotic celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora to encourage
patriotism; and

 WHEREAS, Haitian Flag Day is a reminder of the struggle to freedom
and the Haitian Flag symbolizes the unity that borne the Haitian nation
through the alliance of the Blacks and mulattoes during the
Revolutionary war; and

 WHEREAS, The independence of Haiti echoes the importance of women
and women of color in building independent nations, through
revolutionaries like Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniere, who fought as a soldier
in the Indigenous army, and Catherine Flon who, like Betsy Ross, is
credited with crafting the independent Black Republic of Haiti Flag in
1803, and who also served as a nurse; and

 WHEREAS, Haitian culinary dishes, such as Soup Joumou, a soup
Haitian slaves were forbidden from eating as it was "reserved for their
white masters," have become symbols for Haitian freedom; and Haiti has
vast variety of unique local food now enjoyed throughout the world, such
as griot (fried pork), diri djon djon (black rice), plantains,