[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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                               speech of

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 23, 1994

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, February is Black History 
Month. All across the United States, people are honoring the great many 
contributions of African-Americans to the history of our Nation. 
Throughout our Nation's history there have been many individual black 
Americans who have made important contributions, which have made our 
country great.
  I would like to remark on the 1994 theme for Black History Month, 
``Empowering Afro-American Organizations: Present and Future,'' with a 
specific focus on the vital role of African-American churches. The 
church has always been more than just a place of worship. From its 
beginnings in the late 18th century the African-American church has 
been a very important institution. The church is a rock solid 
foundation of community values and leadership.
  At various times, it has been a place where children have been 
educated, a place where political activity has started, and a place 
where a righting of social wrongs was initiated.
  One of the church's first leaders was Richard Allen. He was born a 
slave and bought his own freedom. In 1786, he worked as a lay minister 
among black members of Philadelphia's St. George Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Because of his work, and the work of Absalom Jones, the 
African-American membership of the church grew 10 times larger. 
Tragically, this led to the segregation of the African-American 
worshipers.
  Ultimately, Allen and Jones were physically removed from the church 
while praying and the other African-American members left en masse. 
Thereafter, Allen and Jones organized the Free African Society. In 
1791, it became the African Church, and in 1816 Allen founded the 
African Methodist Episcopal [AME] Church.
  The AME Church is one of the largest and oldest African-American 
churches in existence. It has grown into an international denomination 
with a membership of more than 1 million. It operates 11 colleges and 
schools of religion and its business and social service entities 
include housing developments, homes, and programs for senior citizens, 
a hospital and a camping facility. It is these and other activities 
that have made the church an important part of our country's social 
fabric.
  Additionally, we must remember the large role the church played in 
shaping the life and accomplishments of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. We 
cannot forget that he became leader of the civil rights movement as a 
leader of his church. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his work are 
the best examples of why we should recognize and honor Black History 
Month and the contributions of Afro-American organizations to our 
Nation's past, present, and future.

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