Commemorating the courage of the Haitian soldiers that fought for American independence in the "Siege of Savannah" and for Haiti's independence and renunciation of slavery.

Whereas in the fall of 1779, Haitian soldiers of the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint Domingue volunteered to join in the fight for American independence;

Whereas the unit was comprised of over 500 men of color from the island of Haiti;

Whereas on October 9, 1779, the soldiers of Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint Domingue served as the largest unit of soldiers of African descent to fight in the Siege of Savannah;

Whereas records show that over 500 men sailed treacherous waters to join the effort against the British;

Whereas over 300 of them lost their lives attempting to drive the British from Savannah;

Whereas the Savannah Monument, a project of the Haitian American Historical Society represents the Haitian soldiers that fought in the Siege of Savannah;

Whereas the Savannah Monument was erected in Savannah, Georgia on Monday, October 8, 2007, to recognize the Haitian involvement in the fight for American independence; and

Whereas the Savannah Monument includes a statue of a 12-year-old drummer boy, depicting Mr. Henri Christophe, who became a leader in Haiti’s Revolution to gain independence and renounce slavery: Now, therefore, be it