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U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., is a co-sponsor of legislation to formally designate September as African Diaspora Heritage Month, led by Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.
The legislation aims to recognize and reaffirm the significant contributions of the African diaspora to the growth and prosperity of the U.S. The month is traditionally celebrated by the diaspora community in September.
Booker, Kaine and Cornyn are members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Booker is the ranking member of the committee’s Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy.
“I know the invaluable impact the African diaspora has made in New Jersey and across our country,” Booker said. “Millions of African immigrants and citizens contribute to the fabric of our nation with their rich culture and heritage. As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, I’m humbled to work across the aisle to recognize this community and work to designate a federal African Diaspora Heritage Month.”
“The African diaspora has contributed so much to the fabric of our nation, local communities, and our economy,” Kaine said.
“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to recognize this vibrant community’s achievements by designating a federal African Diaspora Heritage Month,” he said.
Virginia is home to more than 115,000 African immigrants, thousands of whom are small and medium-sized business owners who have helped bring more than $205 million in international trade to the state. African immigrants have strong populations and economic activity in Texas cities such as Houston and Dallas.
The African diaspora in the U.S. comprises approximately 50 million people.
In March 2022, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution to designate September as Virginia African Diaspora Heritage Month.
Source: Published without changes from Washington Informer Newspaper
