Haitian Hertiage MonthF DELRAY BEACH � Delray Beach Florida 1,;G N VV 1st AVE NJ DE Li-lAY BE: AC'i rl0'4 DA -,.114 <,c,1 24'3 "·(
lt1011' 111-a.rica City1nr PROCLAMATION
1993•2001•2017
WHEREAS, Haitian Heritage Month is a celebration in the United States of Haitian
heritage and culture; and
WHEREAS, it was first celebrated in Boston Massachusetts, in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Tele Kreyol, one of the Boston Haitian Access Television programs,
celebrated the whole month of May with a series of programs on Haitian history, culture,
and contributions to the world; and
WHEREAS, the month-long celebration has continued with such activities as parades, flag raisings, and exhibits organized by Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) in
collaboration with several Haitian organizations in the New England area; and
WHEREAS, the Haitian community of Palm Beach County, FL which started the
Heritage celebration in 2001, contributed greatly to make the Heritage Month first a
statewide celebration, and then, a national one in the United States; and
WHEREAS, South Florida congressman Kendrick Meek introduced unsuccessfully a bill
in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 and 2006 to recognize the month of May as Haitian-American Heritage Month in the United States; and
WHEREAS, President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush sent a letter in May 2005 to congratulate the Haitian-American community for the heritage month and
organized a celebration the same year.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SHELLY PETROLIA, Mayor of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim May as:
HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH
and encourage all our residents to join in this recognition of the accomplishments and
contributions made to our community and country by Haitian Americans.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of
the City of Delray Beach, Florida, to be affixed this 4th day of May 2021.
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SHELLY PETROLIA
MAYOR
THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTE:RS