Commemorating the Courage of the Haitian Soldiers that Fought for American Independence in the 'Siege of Savannah'
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of House Resolution 909, and I join my colleagues in recognizes the valuable contribution and significant sacrifice that Haitians made as they joined the fight for American independence over two centuries ago.
In the fall of 1779, over 500 courageous men volunteered to cross the treacherous waters from Haiti to the U.S., to join our soldiers in the Siege of Savannah. This was no easy feat; yet these men were committed to fighting for America's liberty and independence.
Representing the largest contingent of soldiers of African descent to fight in the American Revolution, these Haitian troops bravely joined in our efforts, forging the friendship between the U.S. and Haiti that has only strengthened in the centuries that followed.
Sadly, such courage had a high price. More than 300 Haitians lost their lives in this battle. Last year, a monument to this glorious sacrifice was erected in Savannah, Georgia. The collaborative efforts of local officials in Georgia and the Haitian American Historical Society of Miami guided this project to completion.
Today, the Savannah monument stands as a tribute to those individual foreign volunteers who joined in the American Revolution and commemorates the historic bond between the U.S. and Haiti.
H. Res. 909 further commemorates Haiti's own struggle for independence and renunciation of slavery. What began as a slave revolt in 1791 ended with Haiti's own independence in 1804. And Haiti was the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to form a government led by the people of African descent and, remarkably, it was also the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to renounce slavery.
For this reason, I am proud to stand with my congressional colleagues in calling for the passage of this important resolution. Yet we must also recognize that there is more to be done.
Despite Haiti's early and historic commitment to democracy, the country continues to languish under the oppression of extreme poverty, disease, and violence. As a significant partner in the region, the U.S. must remain not only cognizant of Haiti's progress but also engaged in its development. We cannot be fully successful as a hemisphere without Haiti fulfilling its potential as a strong and vibrant nation.
I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) for introducing H. Res. 909 and am proud to join in the commemoration of such courageous individuals.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.