Kendrick Meek: “I rise today to honor Haitian- Americans. Yesterday, May 18, marked the 200th year of Haitian history, that country's…”

“I rise today to honor Haitian- Americans. Yesterday, May 18, marked the 200th year of Haitian history, that country's Flag Day celebration. They celebrated in Haiti, and not only in Haiti but also in Miami, Florida, in the place we know as Little Haiti. This was a celebration of a very proud people, a people that have invested so much into our democracy that we have here in the United States, and not only now but in the beginning. America was founded on the basic democratic beliefs of cultures and values, of people from every country in the world. There are over 1.2 million Haitians living in the United States today, with 700,000 of them in Florida. I honor those Americans, those Haitian-Americans who continue to believe in the guiding principles of their country. Flag Day represents unity and strength. That unity has been seen throughout American history since the 1700s during the American Revolution at Savannah. Haitian-Americans fought side by side, prevailing against Britain and creating an independence of 13 colonies. Haitian-Americans are woven within the very history and fabric of this country.”