Wednesday, as part of the 213th anniversary of the creation of the Haitian flag, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) declared :

"Today in 1803, Haitian Revolution leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines, with help from his goddaughter Catherine Flon, created Haiti’s first flag in the town of Arcahaie. Haiti was amidst a war for independence and on the verge of making history for staging the only successful slave revolt in the Western Hemisphere.

I am honored to represent one of the largest Haitian communities in the nation https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-5507-haiti-social-congresswoman-wilson-receives-friend-of-haiti-award.html , and I proudly commemorate this day alongside my constituents. Haitian Flag Day, as a part of the observance of Haitian Heritage Month, is a time to celebrate the adoption of the Haitian flag, honor Haitian culture, and applaud the contributions of Haitians to our country. Haitian-Americans in Miami, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC, and across the nation are observing this momentous occasion with a variety of celebrations.

Haitians have played a pivotal role in American history from fighting with American troops during the siege of Savannah in 1779, to paving the way for the Louisiana Purchase, to the founding of Chicago. Today, Haitian-Americans continue to enrich our lives in extraordinary ways. They serve as elected officials, business owners, soldiers, educators, lawyers, nurses, doctors, engineers, law enforcement professionals, and in many other productive roles in our society. Haitian-Americans are an important part of the diversity that makes America the greatest country in the world.

I urge my colleagues in Congress and all Americans to join me in celebrating Haitian Flag Day and Haitian Heritage Month."

Learn more about Frederica S. Wilson :

Throughout her life, Frederica Wilson has been a champion of Haitian causes. In 1982, she stood up for the fair treatment of Haitian women refugees who were incarcerated at the Krome Detention Center. Congresswoman Wilson’s tireless activism led to a change in policy and improved living conditions for women at the Krome Detention Center.

She has traveled to Haiti numerous times, including soon after the devastating 2010 earthquake. She fought to extend and expand temporary protective status (TPS) for Haitians, led the effort to get the State Department to add Haiti to the list of now-58 countries eligible for the H-2A and H-2B nonimmigrant visa program, and introduced H. Res. 521 – a resolution to combat gender-based violence. Earlier this week, Congresswoman Wilson attended the 2012 Sustainable Haiti Investment Conference to encourage investors to consider Haiti because, as President Martelly said, "Haiti is open for business."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-5507-haiti-social-congresswoman-wilson-receives-friend-of-haiti-award.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8658-haiti-politic-congresswoman-frederica-wilson-introduces-a-resolution-in-favor-of-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10822-haiti-politic-visit-of-3-representatives-of-the-us-congress.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3032-haiti-social-some-members-of-congress-outraged-by-the-violent-evictions-of-displaced.html

HL/ HaitiLibre