HR 381 — A Resolution recognizing January 1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    2698

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 381
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY BELLMON, MADDEN, PARKER, WAXMAN, BRENNAN, VENKAT,
        HILL-EVANS, RABB, RIVERA, HOHENSTEIN AND SANCHEZ,
        DECEMBER 10, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
        DEVELOPMENT, DECEMBER 11, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing January 1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3         WHEREAS, On January 1, 1804, Haiti became a free republic,
 4   ending colonial rule and the practice of slavery; and
 5         WHEREAS, Haiti's independence was the culmination of the
 6   Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791 in what was then the
 7   French colony of Saint-Domingue, the western third of the island
 8   Hispaniola; and
 9         WHEREAS, The Haitian Revolution consisted of a complex series
10   of conflicts that persisted for over a decade, involving
11   enslaved Haitians, colonists, British armies and French
12   colonizers, among other parties; and
13         WHEREAS, As the world's first Black Republic, Haiti secured
14   its independence through extraordinary courage and persistence;
15   and
16         WHEREAS, Despite the success of the Haitian Revolution, it
17   came at the cost of more than 345,000 lives between 1790 and
 1   1804, with most of these deaths being those of formerly enslaved
 2   individuals; and
 3         WHEREAS, The Haitian Revolution helped to shape world
 4   history, including the history of Pennsylvania; and
 5         WHEREAS, Widespread effects of the Haitian Revolution led to
 6   acts of resistance and protests against slavery and racial
 7   injustice in Pennsylvania; and
 8         WHEREAS, Black Philadelphians, inspired by the success of the
 9   Haitian Revolution, used it as a model for their own local
10   liberation efforts, demonstrating the city's long-established
11   roots in Black resistance; and
12         WHEREAS, Today more than 27,000 Haitians reside in this
13   Commonwealth, contributing to Pennsylvania culture and society
14   in diverse ways; and
15         WHEREAS, By commemorating "Haitian Independence Day," we
16   honor the extraordinary courage, endurance and fight for freedom
17   that defined the Haitian Revolution, while paying tribute to
18   those who lost their lives for this cause and recognizing the
19   contributions of the Haitian population in this Commonwealth;
20   and
21         WHEREAS, Recognizing Haiti's Independence Day not only
22   celebrates the enduring legacy of the world's first Black
23   Republic, but also the universal human right to be free from
24   oppression; therefore be it
25         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize January
26   1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in Pennsylvania.




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