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AJR 197

Designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Margie Donlon and 3 co-sponsors

Designates May as Haitian Heritage Month in New Jersey and asks the Governor to issue annual proclamations to promote observance; ceremonial, no funding.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
#commemoratio #minority
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Bill Summary · AJR 197

AJR 197 (New Jersey) — Haitian Heritage Month

Overview

AJR 197 is a Joint Resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on September 23, 2024, and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. The bill designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month and requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance and related activities. It is a non-binding, commemorative measure (joint resolution), intended to recognize Haitian history, culture, and contributions.

Key Provisions

  • Designation: May of every year is designated as Haitian Heritage Month in the State of New Jersey.
  • Proclamation: The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling on public officials, residents, and interest groups to observe Haitian Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities.
  • Effective Date: The joint resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Legislative context: Identified as a joint resolution (no new spending or enforcement mechanism is described). A companion bill exists in the Senate (SJR 132).

Purpose and Rationale

The bill aims to:
- Raise awareness and understanding of Haitian culture, history, and traditions within New Jersey.
- Highlight the global contributions of Haitian people and the importance of Haitian heritage to the broader American cultural landscape.
- Acknowledge the significance of the Haitian Revolution and its historic impact on human rights, universal citizenship, and participation in government.
- Celebrate the Haitian diaspora’s presence in New Jersey, noting a sizable Haitian-American population (reported as nearly 69,000, the fourth-largest in the United States).

The accompanying “Whereas” statements recount a broad arc of Haitian history and culture—from the Bois Caiman ceremony and key revolutionary leaders (e.g., Dutty Boukman, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, Henry Christophe) to the adoption of the Haitian flag, the importance of Haitian Flag Day (May 18), notable Haitian contributions to arts, cuisine, health care, engineering, and philanthropy, and ties to U.S. history.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Affected/Targeted: State and local government officials, public employees, schools, cultural and community organizations, and residents of New Jersey.
  • Practical Impact: The designation is ceremonial and educational, encouraging observance through programs, events, and activities during May. There is no described fiscal obligation or regulatory change.
  • Non-binding Nature: As a memorial resolution, it expresses the sense of the Legislature rather than creating enforceable rights or duties.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly on September 23, 2024; referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
  • Next Steps: If approved by both houses and signed by the Governor (as is typical for joint resolutions), May would be recognized as Haitian Heritage Month in New Jersey annually going forward.
  • Related Legislation: Companion Senate bill SJR 132.

Summary

AJR 197 seeks to formally recognize May as Haitian Heritage Month in New Jersey, urging annual gubernatorial proclamations and encouraging public observance. It provides a narrative of Haitian history and culture to justify the designation, emphasizes the Haitian diaspora’s contributions, and notes New Jersey’s substantial Haitian-American population. The measure is ceremonial, with no specified funding, and would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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