Lansing, Michigan

April 28 2026

In a move that reflects both Michigan’s evolving demographic story and its longstanding tradition of honoring military service, Gretchen Whitmer signed two bipartisan bills into law on April 28, recognizing the contributions of Chaldean Americans and commemorating a fallen airman.

At a signing ceremony in Lansing, the governor approved legislation formally designating the month of May as Chaldean American Month. The measure, introduced as House Bill 4303 by Tom Kuhn, acknowledges the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac communities across the state.

For many Middle Eastern Christian communities in the United States, particularly in Michigan, home to one of the largest Chaldean Syriac Assyrian diasporas in the world, the designation represents more than symbolic recognition. It reflects decades of migration, entrepreneurship, and community-building, especially in the Detroit metropolitan area, where Chaldean Americans have played a visible role in small business development and local institutions.

“Chaldean Americans have made a valuable impact on Michigan,” Whitmer said in a statement, adding that the designation creates an opportunity for residents statewide to recognize and celebrate that legacy.