[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 83 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 83

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     February 24, 2009.
Whereas the first Africans were brought involuntarily to the shores of America 
        as early as the 17th century;
Whereas these Africans in America and their descendants are now known as 
        African-Americans;
Whereas African-Americans suffered involuntary servitude and subsequently faced 
        the injustices of lynch mobs, segregation, and denial of basic, 
        fundamental rights;
Whereas despite involuntary servitude, African-Americans have made significant 
        contributions to the economic, educational, political, artistic, 
        literary, religious, scientific, and technological advancement of the 
        Americas;
Whereas in the face of injustices, United States citizens of good will and of 
        all races distinguished themselves with their commitment to the noble 
        ideals upon which the United States was founded and courageously fought 
        for the rights and freedom of African-Americans;
Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived and died to make real these noble 
        ideals;
Whereas the greatness of the United States is reflected in the historic election 
        of Barack Obama, an American of African ancestry, to the Office of the 
        President of the United States of America;
Whereas the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass inspired the 
        creation of Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month;
Whereas Negro History Week represented the culmination of Dr. Carter G. 
        Woodson's efforts to enhance knowledge of black history started through 
        the Journal of Negro History, published by Woodson's Association for the 
        Study of African-American Life and History; and
Whereas the month of February is officially celebrated as Black History Month, 
        which dates back to 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson set aside a special 
        period of time in February to recognize the heritage and achievement of 
        Black Americans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an 
        important time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in 
        the Nation's history, and encourages the continued celebration of this 
        month to provide an opportunity for all peoples of the United States to 
        learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that 
        have shaped the Nation; and
            (2) recognizes that the ethnic and racial diversity of the United 
        States enriches and strengthens the Nation.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.