IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 288
Expressing the sense that there should be established a ‘‘National Garifuna
Immigrant Heritage Month’’ in April to celebrate the great contributions
of Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage in the United States who
have enriched the history of the Nation.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL1, 2025
Mr. T
ORRESof New York submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense that there should be established a ‘‘Na-
tional Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month’’ in April
to celebrate the great contributions of Americans of
Garifuna immigrant heritage in the United States who
have enriched the history of the Nation.
Whereas the history of Americans of Garifuna immigrant
heritage in the United States is inextricably tied to the
story of the Nation;
Whereas Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage in the
United States come from the Central American region
and have a common heritage and language that goes be-
yond national borders;
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•HRES 288 IH
Whereas Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage came to
the United States voluntarily, and are distinct from, but
have an origin similar to most African Americans, as
both are descendants of mostly West and Central Afri-
cans who were involuntarily brought to the North Amer-
ican Continent by means of the historic Atlantic slave
trade;
Whereas the West African slaves that escaped to the island
eventually intermarried with the Caribs and the Arawaks’
Indigenous native people, giving rise to what today we
know as the Garifuna people;
Whereas after a battle against the British that resulted in
the surrender of the Garifuna people, the defeated
Garifuna leaders were transported to England and the
rest of the Garifuna people to the island of Roatan, Hon-
duras, arriving there on April 12, 1797, which began
their settlement in Central America;
Whereas this year we commemorate the 228th anniversary of
the arrival of the Garifuna people in Central America;
Whereas ‘‘National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month’’
would provide an opportunity to commemorate and recog-
nize the contributions of the Garifuna people, and high-
light the history and culture of Central American Black
Indigenous immigrants in the United States;
Whereas language, dance, and music of the Garifuna people
from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua have
been inscribed on a List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
of Humanity, first proclaimed in 2001 by the United Na-
tions Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes that the
celebration of Garifuna Heritage Month started in New
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•HRES 288 IH
York City since 2009 and in the State of New York since
2010, thanks to the dedicated efforts of community lead-
ers who have tirelessly advocated for this recognition, cul-
minating in the month of April as a time to honor and
celebrate Garifuna culture, history, and contributions;
Whereas people should be aware of the Garifuna people’s
fight for land rights against tourism, developers, and
drug traffickers in the region of Pintadillera, Playa Blan-
ca, Puerto Grande, La Flor, Ciudad Moraza´n (Choloma),
Orquı´dea (Colo´n), and Pro´spera (Islas de la Bahı´a); and
Whereas raising awareness about Garifuna immigrant herit-
age is crucial to effectively fighting disparities and injus-
tices against Black and Indigenous populations in the
United States, Latin America, and across the world:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-1
resentatives that— 2
(1) a ‘‘National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage 3
Month’’ should be established to celebrate the sig-4
nificant contributions of Americans of recent 5
Garifuna immigrant heritage to the history of the 6
United States; and 7
(2) the people of the United States should ob-8
serve the month with appropriate ceremonies, cele-9
brations, and activities to recognize that Americans 10
of recent Garifuna immigrant heritage enhance the 11
rich diversity of and strengthen the United States. 12
Æ
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