R 229

2021 -- S 0856 Enacted 05/04/2021

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2021, AS "ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Sandra Cano

Date Introduced: April 28, 2021

WHEREAS, Annually, National Arab American Heritage Month is celebrated in April in

order to enhance understanding of the nuanced and diverse aspects of Arab American heritage

and to pay tribute to the culture, history, and myriad achievements and contributions of Arab

Americans; and

WHEREAS, Arab migrants to the United States brought with them their resilient family

values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed that have

added strength to Rhode Island and our great democracy; and

WHEREAS, Historically, the first know Arabic-speaking person to make their home in

Rhode Island was David Saaty, who arrived in 1886. Today, the Arabic-speaking community in

the State has grown to include some 6,000 to 7,000 persons, among them people from Syria,

Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, the Persian Gulf, and Egypt, both Muslims as well as Christians;

and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans have endured years of heightened hate crimes, bigotry, and

misunderstanding towards their community which make it imperative to use education and

information to dispel stereotypes, and embrace the power and beauty of diversity; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans have made valuable contributions to virtually every aspect

of society, including medicine, law, business, technology, government, and culture and share the

common desire to see a peaceful and diverse society, where every individual is treated equally

and feels safe; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April of

2021 as Arab American Heritage Month and invites all Rhode Islanders to celebrate the countless

contributions that Arab Americans have made to Rhode Island and American society; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Thomas Lazieh, Coordinator of

the Rhode Island Arab America Foundation Heritage Month.

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LC002586

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