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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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.
20250HR0161PN1217 - 2 -
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