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

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
 1   Designating the month of May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Haiti is the third largest Caribbean country and the
 4   first Black Republic in the world; and
 5      WHEREAS, When Haitians gained independence, they renamed
 6   their country to its native Taino name of Ayiti, or "Land of
 7   Mountains"; and
 8      WHEREAS, From 1791 to 1804, Haitians led a revolution against
 9   French colonialists that ultimately resulted in their
10   independence; and
11      WHEREAS, Haiti was also the first nation to permanently ban
12   slavery, largely contributing to Great Britain's decision to
13   abolish the transatlantic slave trade; and
14      WHEREAS, The Haitian flag was adopted on May 18, 1803, to
15   symbolize the "pride, resilience, and spirit of the Haitian
16   people in their fight for freedom and independence"; and
 1      WHEREAS, Haiti has supported the independence of countries
 2   such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Greece; and
 3      WHEREAS, As a result of Haiti's support of liberation in
 4   other countries, many nations have paid homage to Haiti by using
 5   the Haitian flag as a model for their own flags; and
 6      WHEREAS, By forcing Napoleon Bonaparte to sell what is now
 7   the state of Louisiana, the Haitian Revolution led to the
 8   Louisiana Purchase and territorial expansion of the United
 9   States; and
10      WHEREAS, The cultural influence of Haitians on United States
11   society and culture has only grown since Haitians first started
12   emigrating to the United States in 1790; and
13      WHEREAS, As of 2023, there were approximately 1.15 million
14   Haitian individuals residing in the United States, including
15   those born in Haiti and of Haitian descent; and
16      WHEREAS, "Haitian Heritage Month" is an extension of "Haitian
17   Flag Day" on May 18, a day that encourages patriotism in Haiti
18   and the diaspora; and
19      WHEREAS, "Haitian Heritage Month" is recognized across the
20   globe and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the culture,
21   art, cuisine and traditions of Haiti and its people; therefore
22   be it
23      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
24   month of May 2025 as "Haitian Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.




20250HR0161PN1217                 - 2 -