November is Citizenship Month in Houston! 

In 2009, community leaders came together to create Citizenship Week, set aside each year "to recognize and celebrate how our strength comes through our diversity, as well as other common values including respect for the rights and responsibilities of citizens."

This year, the city expanded the observance into Citizenship Month, a 30-day initiative celebrating the multicultural and diverse populations that make our city such a vibrant and productive place. Citizenship Month events also explore the privileges, rights, and responsibilities of all Houstonians, from the native-born to those who have adopted our city as their home - from across the country and around the world.

Citizenship Month activities include art exhibits, movies, lectures, and workshops, most of them free. You can find the complete calendar here. 

The refugee community is one part of the exciting mix that makes up the City of Houston. This year the U.S. welcomed nearly 70,000 refugee newcomers, almost reaching the limit authorized by Congress for the first time since 1980. Those fleeing violence and persecution found a safe haven in nearly 200 American communities in 49 states.

Texas ranks third, behind California and Michigan, in the number of refugees resettled in 2013. And Houston ranks first in Texas, and second only to San Diego nationally, in the number of refugee arrivals. The cultural richness and optimistic spirit they add to our city are enormous!

PAIR joins the city's Office of International Communities and all of the other sponsors of Citizenship Month in recognizing the important contributions that Houstonians of every background make to our community.