National Arab American Heritage Month

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-021 BY SENATOR(S) Jodeh, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Coleman, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson; also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Zokaie, Bacon, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, Duran, Froelich, Garcia, Gilchrist, Goldstein, Hamrick, Jackson, Joseph, Lindsay, Mabrey, Mauro, McCluskie, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Willford, Woodrow.

CONCERNING DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.

WHEREAS, For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to every aspect of American society: In medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, and culture; and WHEREAS, Since migrating to the United States, individuals of Arab descent have shared their rich culture and traditions with neighbors and friends, while also serving as fine examples of model citizens and public servants; and WHEREAS, Arab Americans have occupied all areas of industry, such as: Lebanese-American Philip Hitti, who established the first Department of Semitic Languages at Princeton University; Egyptian-American Dr. Farouk El-Baz, who was instrumental in planning the Apollo moon landings; Algerian-American Dr. Elias Zerhouni, who was director of the National Institutes of Health in the 2000s; and Iraqi-American Dr. Mona Hanna, whose research exposed the Flint Water Crisis; and

WHEREAS, Arab migrants brought with them to the United States their resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed that have added strength to our great democracy; and WHEREAS, Arab Americans have enriched our society by sharing in the entrepreneurial American spirit that makes our nation free and prosperous; and WHEREAS, The celebration of Arab American ancestry and cultural heritage educates our fellow Americans and counters misconceptions and harmful stereotyping; and WHEREAS, Arab Americans join all Americans in their desire to see a peaceful and diverse society, one in which every individual is treated equally and feels safe; and WHEREAS, On April 19, 2021, the White House issued a letter recognizing the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month, the first recognition of this kind issued on a federal level; and WHEREAS, In the United States, the Arab American community is made up of approximately 3.7 million individuals, 42,000 of whom call Colorado home; and WHEREAS, Over 3,000 households in Denver county alone report Arabic as their spoken language; and WHEREAS, Colorado has been home to Arab Americans since the late 19th century, with the first major wave of Arab Americans arriving in the state between 1880 and 1890; and WHEREAS, The incredible contributions and heritage of Arab Americans have helped us build a better nation and state; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein: (1) That the General Assembly recognizes the contributions that Arab

Americans have made to the development of the United States and the state of Colorado; (2) That the General Assembly officially designates the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month, to be observed yearly as a time dedicated to recognizing the valuable contributions of Arab Americans; and (3) That the General Assembly urges Colorado residents and institutions to actively participate in this special observance.

____________________________ ____________________________ James Rashad Coleman Sr. Julie McCluskie PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES

____________________________ ____________________________ Esther van Mourik Vanessa Reilly SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES