Kaine Leads Introduction of Bill Designating September as African Diaspora Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, led his colleagues in introducing a bill designating the month of September as African Diaspora Heritage Month. This legislation was introduced to recognize and reaffirm the significant contributions of the African diaspora to the growth and prosperity of the U.S. Kaine was joined in introducing the legislation by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Coons (D-DE).

“The African diaspora has long strengthened the fabric of our nation, often in the face of tremendous adversity,” said Senators Kaine and Warner. “The population is one of the fastest-growing, most diverse, and dynamic in Virginia and the United States. This bill is an unwavering statement that we acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate this community and all that they have contributed to the America we have today.”

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 $200 million in international trade to the state. The Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution to designate September as Virginia African Diaspora Heritage Month in March 2022.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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