Regular Session 2015-2016 House Resolution 0621 P.N. 2670

PRINTER'S NO. 2670

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

621

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, HENNESSEY, THOMAS, KIM, SCHLOSSBERG,

ROZZI, VEREB, BULLOCK, BIZZARRO, KINSEY, YOUNGBLOOD,

WHEELAND, C. PARKER, McCARTER, BISHOP, MILLARD, ROSS,

NEILSON, CALTAGIRONE AND READSHAW, DECEMBER 16, 2015

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,

DECEMBER 16, 2015

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of December 26, 2015, through January 1,

2016, as "Kwanzaa Week" in Pennsylvania, in recognition of

the cultural significance of this holiday for African people

throughout the world.

WHEREAS, Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday which

celebrates family, community and culture and is observed each

year by millions throughout the African community on all seven

continents; and

WHEREAS, The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda

ya kwanza," which means "first fruits of the harvest" in

Swahili, a language that is the most widely spoken African

language; and

WHEREAS, Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious

holiday, and is open to all religious faiths from December 26 to

January 1 each year; and

WHEREAS, Kwanzaa is a profound expression of African people

being committed to their cultural values and heritage, an annual

reaffirmation of the bonds between them as a people and a

celebration of their history; and

WHEREAS, The Kwanzaa celebration, with its emphasis on

community, culture, history, values and family, speaks to

African people throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, First-fruits celebrations are recorded in African

history as early as ancient Egypt; and

WHEREAS, The Kwanzaa celebration is a time for commemorating

the past and celebrating the goodness of life, family, community

and culture, and a time for people to reaffirm the bonds between

them; and

WHEREAS, Kwanzaa is a time of special reverence for the

Creator in thanks for the blessings and bounty of the earth; and

WHEREAS, This year's theme is "Embracing Kwanzaa's Principles

and Practice: Creating and Celebrating the Good"; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that roughly 18 million African

Americans take part in the Kwanzaa celebration; and

WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 49th anniversary of this

annual holiday; and

WHEREAS, This represents a time set aside for committing to

our highest ideals and an effort to bring forth the best in

African cultural practice; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

week of December 26, 2015, through January 1, 2016, as "Kwanzaa

Week" in Pennsylvania, in recognition of the cultural

significance of this holiday for African people throughout the

world.

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