SR0552 LRB093 21995 KEF 51209 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, In commemoration of Haitian people, this body
3 proclaims May 18th, 2004, as Haitian Flag Day as it has become
4 a source of pride and is synonymous with unity and individual
5 liberty; and
 
6     WHEREAS, In 1779, a regiment of soldiers of Haitian descent
7 called the Chasseurs-Volontaires made a crucial contribution
8 to our country when they fought on the side of Americans in the
9 Battle of Savannah, Georgia, one of the two bloodiest battles
10 of the American Revolutionary War; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The forces merged with 4,000 American troops led
12 by General Benjamin Lincoln, among them was a 12-year old
13 drummer boy named Henri Christophe; he later also fought
14 against the British in Pensacola, Florida, and survived both
15 battles as he was destined to become a foremost leader in
16 Haitian history, indeed the George Washington of Haiti; he was
17 a Freedom Fighter and fought for American Independence; and
 
18     WHEREAS, As part of his plan to regain control of Savannah
19 from the British, General Benjamin Lincoln summoned French
20 Admiral D'estaing's naval forces to blockade the coastal
21 Georgia port from British ships; among them were 500 to 800
22 Haitian volunteers who had joined the Admiral's 4,000 men; and
 
23     WHEREAS, Once on land, Haitian soldiers fought fiercely
24 alongside some of the finest American officers, including
25 Lincoln, McIntosh, Pulaski, and Marion; and
 
26     WHEREAS, Indeed, the contribution of the French brigade on
27 land, composed mainly of Haitians, was crucial in protecting
28 the American soldiers as they retreated; even though this
29 battle was lost, the Americans were able to recover to fight
30 another battle thanks to the soldiers who provided their cover,

 

 

SR0552 - 2 - LRB093 21995 KEF 51209 r

1 including the Haitians who died fighting for America's freedom;
2 and
 
3     WHEREAS, In these important ways and many more, Haitians
4 have contributed greatly to the history and development of our
5 country, making us who we are today and continuing to
6 positively shape who we will be tomorrow; therefore, be it
 
7     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
8 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim May 18,
9 2004, as Haitian Flag Day to commemorate the contributions of
10 Haitians in the Battle of Savannah, Georgia, and thank the
11 Haitians today for the courage Haitian soldiers showed as
12 American allies during the Revolutionary War, and for the
13 contributions Haitians continue to make to our country; and be
14 it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
16 presented to the representative of the Haitian Diplomatic
17 Mission accredited in the United States and to the National
18 Chairman of the Haitian/American Voters and Entrepreneurs
19 National Organization.