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PRINTER'S NO. 2698
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 381
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BELLMON, MADDEN, PARKER, WAXMAN, BRENNAN, VENKAT,
HILL-EVANS, RABB, RIVERA, HOHENSTEIN AND SANCHEZ,
DECEMBER 10, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, DECEMBER 11, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing January 1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On January 1, 1804, Haiti became a free republic,
ending colonial rule and the practice of slavery; and
WHEREAS, Haiti's independence was the culmination of the
Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791 in what was then the
French colony of Saint-Domingue, the western third of the island
Hispaniola; and
WHEREAS, The Haitian Revolution consisted of a complex series
of conflicts that persisted for over a decade, involving
enslaved Haitians, colonists, British armies and French
colonizers, among other parties; and
WHEREAS, As the world's first Black Republic, Haiti secured
its independence through extraordinary courage and persistence;
and
WHEREAS, Despite the success of the Haitian Revolution, it
came at the cost of more than 345,000 lives between 1790 and
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1804, with most of these deaths being those of formerly enslaved
individuals; and
WHEREAS, The Haitian Revolution helped to shape world
history, including the history of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Widespread effects of the Haitian Revolution led to
acts of resistance and protests against slavery and racial
injustice in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Black Philadelphians, inspired by the success of the
Haitian Revolution, used it as a model for their own local
liberation efforts, demonstrating the city's long-established
roots in Black resistance; and
WHEREAS, Today more than 27,000 Haitians reside in this
Commonwealth, contributing to Pennsylvania culture and society
in diverse ways; and
WHEREAS, By commemorating "Haitian Independence Day," we
honor the extraordinary courage, endurance and fight for freedom
that defined the Haitian Revolution, while paying tribute to
those who lost their lives for this cause and recognizing the
contributions of the Haitian population in this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, Recognizing Haiti's Independence Day not only
celebrates the enduring legacy of the world's first Black
Republic, but also the universal human right to be free from
oppression; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize January
1, 2026, as "Haitian Independence Day" in Pennsylvania.
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