Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as "African Diaspora Heritage Month".

119 HRES 720 IH: Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “African Diaspora Heritage Month”. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IV 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 720 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 16, 2025 Ms. McClellan (for herself, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick , Mr. Jackson of Illinois , Ms. Salazar , Mr. Carter of Louisiana , Ms. Kamlager-Dove , Ms. Norton , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Mrs. McIver , Mr. Carson , Ms. Kelly of Illinois , Mr. Veasey , Mr. Bell , Ms. Omar , and Mr. Subramanyam ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as African Diaspora Heritage Month . Whereas the African diaspora population in the United States has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of African immigrants growing at a rate of almost 246 percent from 2000 to 2019; Whereas the African Union recognizes the African diaspora as 2 categories: people of African heritage who involuntarily migrated to North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Brazil, Latin America, Oceania, etc., and persons who recently left Africa voluntarily ; Whereas the African diaspora community is one of the most diverse communities in the United States, inclusive of people who speak a multitude of languages, represent various ethnic and cultural traditions from across the African Continent, and practice diverse faiths; Whereas, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of enslaved people from Africa were brought to the United States, leaving a lasting legacy and shaping the cultural, political, and economic fabric of the Nation; Whereas immigrants of African origin exhibit some of the highest educational achievements of any immigrant group in the United States; Whereas African diaspora households contribute billions of dollars to the economy of the United States, with an estimated $24,000,000,000 in Federal taxes, $15,000,000,000 in State and local taxes, and a spending power of more than $114,000,000,000 in 2021; Whereas sub-Saharan African immigrants living in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere sent back $54,000,000,000 in remittances to the continent of Africa in 2023, supporting families and driving economic development; Whereas Government agencies, including the International Development Finance Corporation, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, and Office of the United States Trade Representative, are critical to investments and enduring mutual partnerships between the United States and African nations; Whereas, in 2021, through the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. ), the United States imported $6,700,000,000 in goods; Whereas Prosper Africa and other similar Government initiatives are critical to building and strengthening ties between the United States and African businesses; Whereas the total 2-way goods trade with sub-Saharan Africa totaled $44,800,000,000 in 2021, a 21.8 percent increase from $36,700,000,000 in 2019; Whereas the African diaspora plays an invaluable role in shaping Government policy, providing critical insight and global perspective; Whereas members of the African diaspora have an invaluable understanding of cross-cultural engagement between the United States and Africa, and of existing relations and networks on the African Continent, and can support efforts to facilitate stronger ties between the United States and Africa; Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the bilateral and multilateral relationships between the United States and countries throughout the African Continent; Whereas Congress strongly supports the hosting of the second United States-Africa Leaders Summit by the United States, which was held in December 2022, to deepen collaboration between the Government and the African diaspora community in the United States, and to strengthen ties between the United States and African nations by bringing together approximately 49 African heads of state; Whereas the African diaspora harbors a deep commitment to family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to succeed and contribute to the society of the United States; Whereas all members of the African diaspora in the United States deserve access to Federal resources, a voice in the Government of the United States, and meaningful opportunities to participate in civic life; Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the dialogue between the African diaspora and Government officials in the United States; and Whereas the African diaspora community significantly contributes to the growth and prosperity of the United States, and Congress honors this abundant and growing community: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) expresses support for the designation of African Diaspora Heritage Month ; (2) encourages people of the United States to observe African Diaspora Heritage Month through appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; (3) urges civil and educational authorities of States, counties, cities, and towns to observe African Diaspora Heritage Month through appropriate programs and activities; and (4) affirms that— (A) the contributions of the African diaspora community are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the Nation.