HRES 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.
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Bill overview
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month should be established in April to honor the contributions of Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage. It recognizes the history and culture of this community, tracing their origins from Central America and their arrival in the United States. The resolution also highlights the importance of raising awareness about their heritage and ongoing struggles for land rights.
Key provisions
- Designates April as National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month.
- Recognizes the significant contributions of Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage.
- Encourages the observation of the month with ceremonies and activities.
- Acknowledges the history and culture of the Garifuna people, including their language, dance, and music.
- Highlights the Garifuna people’s fight for land rights.
- Connects the Garifuna experience to broader issues of racial and social justice.
- References the establishment of the month in New York City and New York State.
- Recognizes the Garifuna people’s heritage as a blend of African, Indigenous, and European influences.
Who is affected
- Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage
- The Garifuna community
- Latin American communities
- Black and Indigenous populations
- The United States
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. RES. 288
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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 Morazán (Choloma), Orquídea (Colón), and Próspera (Islas de la Bahía); 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
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
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.