Supporting the designation of March as National CHamoru Heritage and Culture Month.
H. Res. 183 is a nonbinding House resolution introduced on March 3, 2025, by Representative Moylan. It expresses support for designating March as National CHamoru Heritage and Culture Month and encourages observance of that month across the United States. The resolution lays out a historical and cultural rationale for recognizing the CHamoru (indigenous people of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands), describing their deep-rooted seafaring heritage, cultural values (including inafa' maolek, which emphasizes respect, reciprocity, and family), and their enduring contributions to U.S. history and national service. As a resolution, it is a symbolic statement rather than a law and does not create new rights or funding. The bill emphasizes CHamoru resilience, wartime experiences (including Japanese occupation and U.S. liberation efforts in World War II) and CHamoru ancestry among a sizable population in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. mainland. By urging observance, it seeks to raise awareness, education, and cultural preservation related to CHamoru heritage.
Key Points
- 1Designation support: The resolution supports designating March as National CHamoru Heritage and Culture Month and encourages observance nationwide.
- 2CHamoru identity and culture: Declares CHamoru as the indigenous people of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; highlights key cultural concepts such as inafa' maolek (a foundation emphasizing respeto, manginge, chenchule, and familia).
- 3Historical contributions: Narrates CHamoru seafaring history, experiences during Imperial Japanese occupation in World War II, and CHamoru roles in U.S. military victories (Battle of Guam, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian) with liberation in July 1944.
- 4Population and service: Notes that more than 200,000 people in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. mainland claim CHamoru ancestry; points to CHamoru service in the armed forces at rates higher than the national average.
- 5Procedural nature: This is a nonbinding House resolution acknowledging CHamoru contributions and encouraging national observance; it does not create new law or appropriations.