Washington, 19 August 2021 (MIA) — With the Michigan House of Representatives passing House Resolution 149, September 2021 has been declared Macedonian American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan, home to the largest Macedonian diaspora in the United States. According to MIA's Washington correspondent, the resolution was passed to mark the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Macedonia gaining its independence from former Yugoslavia on Sept. 8, 1991. Last year, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared Sept. 8 Macedonian Americans' Day in Michigan. Michigan House Representative Richard Steenland, who sponsored the resolution, said Macedonian Americans are model citizens and as a friend of the Macedonian community, he was glad to lead the effort to declare September 2021 as Macedonian American Heritage Month in Michigan. The resolution recognizes the Macedonian Americans' role in economy, culture, and identity of the state and says they have helped build a better Michigan. Expressing best wishes on behalf of the Michigan House of Representatives to Macedonians celebrating 30 years of Macedonian independence worldwide, the resolution also calls on all Michigan residents to celebrate the heritage of Macedonian Americans through organizing various events. Many Macedonians emigrated to Michigan in the 1880s. The Macedonian community living on both sides of the US–Canada border now has over 125,000 members. Macedonian Americans hold a Macedonian Convention each Labor Day in September, gathering thousands of Macedonian-speaking people to socialize and sample Macedonian cuisine. This year's convention, originally planned to take place in Detroit, will not be held in person because of Covid-19. mr/