Summary — HR 208 (House Resolution): “Victims of Communism Day” (Michigan)
Status: Adopted
Introduced: January 3, 2025
Classification: House resolution (symbolic/non‑binding)
Main purpose
HR 208 designates November 7, 2025, as “Victims of Communism Day” in the State of Michigan. The resolution memorializes persons who suffered and died under 20th‑century communist regimes, encourages public remembrance, and calls for educational events to honor victims and reaffirm Michigan’s commitment to liberty and constitutional rights.
Key provisions
- Declares November 7, 2025, as Victims of Communism Day in Michigan. The date marks the anniversary of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
- Recites historical findings and casualty estimates (citing The Black Book of Communism): a collective toll of “more than one hundred million” deaths, with specific estimates cited in the text (for example: ~20 million in the Soviet Union; ~65 million in the People’s Republic of China; ~2 million in North Korea; ~2 million in Cambodia; ~1 million in Vietnam; ~1 million across Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe; ~1.5 million in Ethiopia; ~100,000 in Cuba).
- Encourages Michiganders to observe the day through appropriate ceremonies and educational activities to honor victims and to “reaffirm our state’s commitment to the cause of human freedom and constitutional liberty.”
- The resolution is declaratory and ceremonial; it does not create new law, programs, or appropriations.
Who is affected / likely impact
- Direct legal impact: none. HR 208 is a non‑binding, symbolic resolution.
- Civic/educational impact: encourages schools, community organizations, historical societies, and local governments to hold commemorative and educational events.
- Communities with immigrant/refugee backgrounds from countries named in the resolution (e.g., Poland, Ukraine, Vietnam, Cuba, etc.) are specifically referenced as having a “unique and deeply personal connection” and may be particularly engaged by observances.
- May prompt state agencies, museums, veterans and refugee organizations, and civic groups to plan programming or public statements recognizing the day.
Procedural history / timeline (as reported)
- Introduced in the Michigan House: 2025-01-03; referred to House Committee on House Administration.
- Read and advanced through House procedures (First Readers, Second Readers).
- Rules suspended and adopted on 2025-02-12 (several entries list adoption and enrollment activity in Feb–Mar 2025).
- Enrolled and signed by the Speaker: 2025-05-22; presented to the Secretary of State: 2025-05-28.
- Additional entries indicate introduction/adoption activity on 2025-11-06; the document’s status is “adopted.”
(Note: the submitted document contains multiple inserted, unrelated resolution texts and sponsor lists from other states and jurisdictions. The summary above focuses on the Michigan House Resolution designating November 7, 2025, as Victims of Communism Day.)
Sponsors
Primary sponsors listed in the Michigan House text include Representatives James DeSana, and other House members credited on the resolution. (The provided materials also include sponsor names from other jurisdictions; those are not part of the Michigan resolution.)
Conclusion
HR 208 is a symbolic Michigan House resolution that proclaims November 7, 2025, as Victims of Communism Day to remember victims of communist regimes, encourage public and educational commemoration, and reaffirm commitment to liberty. It imposes no regulatory or fiscal obligations.
