The New York City Council has unanimously passed resolutions tabled by Haitian-born Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene calling on New York State and the United States to recognise the contributions Haitians have made by establishing a Haitian Day.

Resolution 687 establishes October 9 of each year as Haitian Day of the City of New York, in recognition of the historical contributions of the Haitian diaspora in the city.

The Resolution calls on the United States Congress and the New York State Legislature to pass – and the President of the United States and Governor of the State of New York to sign – legislation to establish October 9 annually as Haitian Day in recognition of the historic contributions of Haitians to the United States.

“We are lucky to live in one of the most diverse places in the world. The character of New York has been shaped by so many different cultures and, since the beginning of American history, Haiti has helped shape this great nation,” declared Mathieu Eugene the first Haitian to be elected to New York, which recalled inter alia, that Haitian soldiers helped the United States fight for its freedom at the Battle of Savannah in 1779.

IH/ iciHaiti