119-hres288

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 288 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
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

 April 1, 2025

 Mr. Torres of 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 ``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.

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 beyond national borders;
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 
 Africans who were involuntarily brought to the North American 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, 
 Honduras, 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 recognize the contributions of the 
 Garifuna people, and highlight 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 Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes that the celebration of Garifuna 
 Heritage Month started in New York City since 2009 and in the State of 
 New York since 2010, thanks to the dedicated efforts of community 
 leaders who have tirelessly advocated for this recognition, culminating 
 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 Blanca, Puerto Grande, La Flor, Ciudad Morazan

    (Choloma) , Orquidea

    (Colon) , and Prospera (Islas de la Bahia); and
Whereas raising awareness about Garifuna immigrant heritage is crucial to 
 effectively fighting disparities and injustices 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 Representatives 
that--

    (1) a ``National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month'' should 
 be established to celebrate the significant contributions of 
 Americans of recent Garifuna immigrant heritage to the history 
 of the United States; and

    (2) the people of the United States should observe the 
 month with appropriate ceremonies, celebrations, and activities 
 to recognize that Americans of recent Garifuna immigrant 
 heritage enhance the rich diversity of and strengthen the 
 United States.
 <all>