Assembly Resolution No. 2216
BY: M. of A. Rules (Bichotte Hermelyn)
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2024, 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; by
educating 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 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-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, former slave of the French
colony and born with the name Francois Dominique Toussaint, was a
Haitian General who led to 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
the General, who emerged after Toussaint L'Overture was captured, that
defeated Napoleon Bonaparte and the French colonists at the Battle of
Vertieres at the end of 1803 to become 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 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 to freedom
and the Haitian Flag symbolizes the unity that borne the Haitian nation
through the alliance of the Blacks and mulattoes during the
Revolutionary war; 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 who also served as a nurse; and
WHEREAS, Haitian culinary dishes, such as Soup Joumou, a soup
Haitian slaves were forbidden from eating as it was "reserved for their
white masters," have become symbols for Haitian freedom; and Haiti has
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 health
care 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 along the with the Continental Army during the American
Revolution at the Battle of Savannah, Georgia in 1779 to fight against
the British, and enslaved Pierre Toussaint, who accompanied his master
to New York in 1787 and became a major philanthropist who contributed
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 the Pontiac's
Rebellion by negotiating and preserving peace among several Native
American tribes and later became the first settler and Founder of
Chicago in the 1780s; and
WHEREAS, Haiti's victory over France helped ensure the survival of
the United States, who got an enormous bargain on the purchase of the
Louisiana Purchase after French leaders were spooked 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 including: 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 the chief executive officer of the Chicago
Public Schools from 2011-2012; Dean P. Baquet, a Haitian American
journalist who has served as the 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 the 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, with five members; New York City has one
of the largest Haitian elected officials in city council and the
judiciary; and the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network
(NHAEON) has the largest network of Haitian elected official 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 with the largest concentration of stakeholders of
Haitian ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, the MTA 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 continues to
grow across the state which started in Harlem, to Brooklyn, and with the
highest concentration of Haitians in Queens, Long Island, Rockland
County, Poughkeepsie and Buffalo; 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 2024, 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 the State.
