HR 441 — A Resolution recognizing March 2, 2026, as "Adwa Victory Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    3015

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 441
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY SANCHEZ, FREEMAN, WAXMAN, MALAGARI, MADDEN AND
        CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, MARCH 17, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 18, 2026


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing March 2, 2026, as "Adwa Victory Day" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, In 1895, Italy annexed a large portion of the
 4   Ethiopian province of Tigray through their colonial forces in
 5   Eritrea, leading to war with Ethiopia; and
 6      WHEREAS, At the start of the campaign, the Italian forces
 7   were successful, but the victories were not amounting to grand
 8   strategic success and by the end of 1895, large Ethiopian armies
 9   were threatening Italian outposts; and
10      WHEREAS, By February 7, 1896, both the Italian and Ethiopian
11   armies were running low on supplies and were waiting for the
12   other to strike; and
13      WHEREAS, Despite misgivings, the Italian army attacked the
14   city of Adwa on March 1, 1896, with a force of 14,500; and
15      WHEREAS, The Ethiopian army of 100,000 routed the Italian
16   forces, forcing them to retreat over difficult terrain; and
17      WHEREAS, The battle resulted in the Treaty of Addis Ababa,
18   signed in October 1896, which required Italy to abandon its
 1   protectorate claim over Ethiopia and massively reduce its
 2   colonial presence in Eritrea; and
 3      WHEREAS, In an age of relentless European expansion, Ethiopia
 4   successfully defended its independence and cast doubt upon an
 5   unshakable certainty of the age, that sooner or later all
 6   Africans would fall under the rule of Europeans; and
 7      WHEREAS, Ethiopia holds the distinction of being one of the
 8   only African nations to remain independent and sovereign, never
 9   being colonized, and officially recognized by global powers
10   throughout the 19th and 20th centuries; and
11      WHEREAS, "Adwa Victory Day" is celebrated annually on March 2
12   in Ethiopia, and 2026 marks the 130th anniversary of the victory
13   at Adwa; and
14      WHEREAS, By recognizing "Adwa Victory Day," the Commonwealth
15   honors the heritage of the more than 6,000 Ethiopians who live
16   in Pennsylvania and the struggle against colonialism of the
17   larger African diaspora community; therefore be it
18      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize March
19   2, 2026, as "Adwa Victory Day" in Pennsylvania.




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