Assembly Resolution No. 437
BY: M. of A. Bichotte Hermelyn
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2025 as Haitian Heritage Month in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, Haitian Heritage Month, recognized globally during the
month of May, celebrates the rich culture of Haiti and its people,
including their history, language, distinctive art, delicious foods, and
cuisines; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the month is to raise awareness and
understanding about Haitian culture, history, and traditions, educate
others about the historical contributions Haitian people have made to
the United States and to the world, and celebrate these Haitian
achievements across the globe; and
WHEREAS, Haiti's history is of vital significance and pride for its
people and has crucial global importance, representing a new concept of
human rights, universal citizenship, and participation in government
through the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804); and
WHEREAS, The Haitian Revolution is one of the largest, and the first
successful, slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere, starting with
the founding act of the Revolution by Dutty Boukman, a slave transferred
from British colonial Jamaica to French colonial Saint-Domingue; he was
a Houngan, or Vodou priest, who led the ceremony of Bois Caiman on the
night of August 14, 1791; and
WHEREAS, In 1793, Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave of the
French colony, who was born with the name Francois Dominique Toussaint,
was a Haitian General who led the success of enslaved Africans gaining
autonomy in Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Jean Jacques Dessalines, a former slave, lead a mighty
group of Haitians, Africans, and Blacks during the Haitian Revolution as
General; he emerged after Toussaint L'Overture was captured, defeating
Napoleon Bonaparte and the French colonists at the Battle of Vertieres
at the end of 1803, and became the first Black ruler of the first
independent Black republic in the world; and
WHEREAS, Henry Christophe became Toussaint Louverture's Chief
Lieutenant, fighting the French, British, and the Spaniards, and later
became President of Haiti in 1806 where he introduced a monetary system,
declared Catholicism as the State religion, and established schools and
hospitals, including a basic school of medicine; and
WHEREAS, The Haitian flag was designed by Jean Jacques Dessalines
and was adopted on May 18, 1803, at the Congress of Arcahaie which was
held to establish the united command of the Revolutionary Army under the
supreme authority of Jean-Jacques Dessalines; and
WHEREAS, Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of Haitian Flag Day,
a national Haitian holiday celebrated annually on May 18th, serving as a
major patriotic celebration in Haiti and the diaspora to encourage
patriotism; and
WHEREAS, Haitian Flag Day is a reminder of the struggle for freedom,
and the Haitian flag symbolizes the unity that had borne the Haitian
nation; and
WHEREAS, The independence of Haiti echoes the importance of women
and women of color in building independent nations, through
revolutionaries like Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniere, who fought as a soldier
in the Indigenous Army, and Catherine Flon who, like Betsy Ross, is
credited with crafting the independent Black Republic of Haiti flag in
1803 and serving as a nurse; and
WHEREAS, Haitian culinary dishes, such as Soup Joumou, a soup
Haitian slaves were forbidden to eat, as it was "reserved for their
white masters," have become symbols for Haitian freedom; Haiti has a
vast variety of unique local food, now enjoyed throughout the world,
such as griot (fried pork), diri djon djon (black rice), plantains,
grenadia juice, and rhum; and
WHEREAS, Haitians continue to produce the largest number of
healthcare workers (nurses and doctors) and engineers in the Black
diaspora; and
WHEREAS, Haitian history has indelibly shaped the United States,
including the 800 men of color from Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti),
who fought against the British with the Continental Army during the
American Revolution at the Battle of Savannah, Georgia, in 1779 and
enslaved Pierre Toussaint, who accompanied his master to New York in
1787 and became a major philanthropist, contributing money to the
erection of the Saint Patrick's Cathedral; and
WHEREAS, Haitian-born Jean Baptiste Point du Sable traveled to North
America in the early 1770s and was instrumental in Pontiac's Rebellion
by negotiating and preserving peace among several Native American
tribes, becoming the first settler and founder of the City of Chicago in
the 1780s; and
WHEREAS, Haiti's victory over France helped ensure the survival of
the United States which attained an enormous bargain on the Louisiana
Purchase after French leaders were frightened by the revolution in
Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Haitian-American immigrants have come to the United States,
bringing their own influences and cultural traditions to a variety of
spheres, including the arts, business, sports, literature, science, and
law, with notable figures such as: Jean-Michael Basquiat, one of the
defining artists of the 20th century; Jackson Georges, a
Haitian-American painter who worked with wood, marble, metal, and
leather to create works featured at the World Trade Art Gallery, United
Nations, and Mehu Gallery; Jean-Claude Brizard, a Haitian-American
teacher and superintendent who served as Chief Executive Officer of the
Chicago Public Schools from 2011-2012; Dean P. Baquet, a
Haitian-American journalist who has served as Executive Editor of The
New York Times since 2014; Nicole Baron Rosefort who served as a New
York City and State public education leader; Jacques Jiha who was
Commissioner of the New York City Department of Finance and who
currently serves as Director of the New York City Mayor's Office of
Management and Budget; and Karine Jean-Pierre who serves as Assistant to
the President and White House Press Secretary; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Assembly houses the largest Legislative
Haitian Caucus in the country, boasting four members; New York City has
one of the largest numbers of Haitian elected officials in the city
council and the judiciary; the National Haitian American Elected
Officials Network (NHAEON) has the largest network of Haitian elected
officials in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Haitian Creole is one of the top 10 languages spoken in New
York City, and in 2018, the "Little Haiti Brooklyn" cultural and
business district was established to preserve, harness, showcase, and
celebrate the commercial and socio-cultural institutions in the Flatbush
section of Brooklyn, having the largest concentration of stakeholders of
Haitian ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority renamed
the Newkirk Avenue subway station in Flatbush to the Newkirk
Avenue-Little Haiti station to honor the neighborhood's unique Haitian
roots; the Haitian population, which started in Harlem, spreading to
Brooklyn, and having the highest concentration of Haitians in Queens,
Long Island, Rockland County, Poughkeepsie, and Buffalo, continues to
grow across New York State; and
WHEREAS, For decades, Haiti has faced significant challenges,
including natural disasters that have devastated the land and disrupted
the lives of millions; however, the Haitian people have demonstrated
resilience throughout history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025 as Haitian
Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, and Haitian organizations across New York State.
