HRES 838

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 28, 2025

Mr. Garcia of Illinois (for himself, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Velazquez, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Carson, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Casar, Ms. Simon, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Soto, Ms. Norton, Mr. Gomez, and Mrs. Ramirez) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

Commemorating the annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos in the United States and around the world.

Whereas, on November 1 and 2 of each year, the United States celebrates All Souls’ Day, also known as Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, to honor friends, family members and loved ones who have passed; Whereas Dia de los Muertos includes traditions and rituals that trace their origins to diverse celebrations and beliefs held by pre-Hispanic cultures and Indigenous groups of Mesoamerica; Whereas Dia de los Muertos celebrations in pre-Hispanic times were led by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as “Lady of the Dead”, and the celebration lasted a month; Whereas, after the Spanish arrived in Mexico and began converting the native peoples to Roman Catholicism, the holiday was moved to coincide with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day; Whereas the memory of loved ones is commemorated through a traditional altar containing ofrendas (offerings) and honoring their memory ensured they never cease to exist; Whereas Dia de los Muertos reinforces familial bonds and the importance of honoring one’s ancestry; Whereas Dia de los Muertos emerged and gained prominence during the 1960s, symbolizing cultural pride, heritage, and resistance; Whereas the tradition of Dia de los Muertos has grown in popularity across the United States, showcasing the vast influence of Mexican culture on American society; Whereas the blending of traditions and shared celebrations exemplifies the unity and diversity that strengthen the United States as a Nation; Whereas Dia de los Muertos offers a moment to reflect on the value of life and the love that endures beyond death, honoring those who came before us and the memories that continue to guide our families and communities; Whereas that same spirit of remembrance calls attention to lives lost in circumstances that demand compassion and accountability, and the United States must be mindful of the human cost of its immigration-detention practices: for example, in fiscal year 2025, at least 23 individuals died while in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, a troubling increase over previous years; Whereas, among those tragedies, the death of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, a 38- year-old father of 2, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a traffic stop in Franklin Park, Illinois, on September 12, 2025, underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and humane treatment in immigration enforcement; Whereas these losses underscore the urgency of ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and humanity, consistent with the values that symbolize Dia de los Muertos, the principles of family unity, human rights, and collective memory that call upon this body to honor the lives of those lost, reaffirm respect for life, and ensure humane treatment of all persons, including those in custodial settings; and Whereas, through the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, communities across the United States find healing in remembrance, strength in shared heritage, and unity in honoring the lives and memories of those who have passed with values that reflect the compassion, inclusion, and respect for human dignity that strengthen our Nation: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes the annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos in the United States and around the world;

(2) honors the rich cultural contributions of Mexican- American, Latino, and Indigenous communities to the United States, including the traditions of remembrance, family, and community embodied in Dia de los Muertos;

(3) celebrates the remembrance of Latinos and loved ones that have enriched the United States;

(4) expresses its condolences and solidarity with families who are remembering loved ones during the Dia de los Muertos period, especially those who died while in immigration detention or as a result of enforcement actions;

(5) urges the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant agencies to protect the health, dignity, civil rights, and family unity of individuals in immigration custody, including during culturally significant observances; and

(6) encourages community organization, educational institutions, and all levels of government to collaborate in raising awareness about the significance of Dia de los Muertos, to foster intercultural understanding, and to engage in remembrance practices that respect heritage and human dignity. <all>