Florida Senate - 2017                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS for SM 572
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì381644/Î381644                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  04/06/2017           .                                
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       The Committee on Rules (Campbell) recommended the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete line 126
    4  and insert:
    5  May as “Haitian Heritage Month” and “Haitian American Heritage
    6  Month,” May 18 as “Haitian
    7  
    8  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
    9  And the title is amended as follows:
   10         Delete lines 4 - 40
   11  and insert:
   12         Independence Day,” the month of May as “Haitian
   13         Heritage Month” and “Haitian American Heritage Month,”
   14         May 18 as “Haitian Flag Day,” and the month of June as
   15         “Caribbean American Heritage Month.”
   16  
   17         WHEREAS, the United States of America has thrived as a
   18  country of immigrants, united by common values and the promise
   19  of a better tomorrow, and
   20         WHEREAS, the Republic of Haiti, an island nation located in
   21  the West Indies on the western third of the Island of
   22  Hispaniola, declared its independence from French colonial rule
   23  on January 1, 1804, following a slave revolt under the
   24  leadership of Generals Toussaint L’Ouverture, Jean-Jacques
   25  Dessalines, and Alexandre Pétion, becoming the first and only
   26  nation created from a successful slave rebellion, and
   27         WHEREAS, Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin
   28  America and the first postcolonial independent nation led by
   29  blacks in the world, and
   30         WHEREAS, as educators, authors, community leaders,
   31  activists, athletes, artists, musicians, and politicians,
   32  Haitian Americans have made their mark in every facet of society
   33  and have contributed to the betterment and diversity of this
   34  nation, and
   35         WHEREAS, the close proximity of Haiti to American shores,
   36  in conjunction with our common bond of mutual values and
   37  commitment to democracy, ensures lasting comity of nations and
   38  continued trade and diplomatic relations, and
   39         WHEREAS, an estimated 1.5 million persons of Haitian
   40  descent now live throughout this nation, and
   41         WHEREAS, the United States and Haiti share a history of
   42  freedom, a common belief in human rights, and diverse, complex,
   43  and resilient peoples who have impacted the world through
   44  vibrant cultures, democracy, and a wealth of talent and
   45  achievement, and
   46         WHEREAS, Haitian Independence Day is globally acknowledged
   47  and annually celebrated on January 1 as an affirmation of
   48  equality, freedom, and the abolition of slavery, and
   49         WHEREAS, Haitian Heritage Month is a jubilant celebration
   50  in the United States, embracing Haitian heritage and culture,
   51  and
   52         WHEREAS, first celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts, in
   53  1998, Haitian Heritage Month is observed nationwide in the month
   54  of May from Florida to New York with parades, festivals, and
   55  school activities, and
   56         WHEREAS, the importance of Haitian Heritage Month is
   57  exemplified by South Florida Congressman Kendrick B. Meek’s
   58  introduction of bills in the United States House of
   59  Representatives in 2004 and 2006 to recognize the month of May
   60  as Haitian Heritage Month; by a letter from former President
   61  George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, sent in May 2005,
   62  which congratulated the Haitian-American community on the
   63  occasion of the heritage month; and by the organization of a
   64  celebration at the White House that same year, and