[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 36 (Monday, February 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H2295-H2296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   REFLECTIONS ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fox] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss with my 
colleagues a wonderful journey I took during the month of February. The 
voyage I speak of was one of education and learning throughout our 
Black History Month which concludes tomorrow.
  I had an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to see how the people of my home 
district in Montgomery County, PA celebrated the heritage of a people 
who have contributed much to our society.
  Many of you may realize it, but Montgomery County, PA was the end of 
the line for many slaves as they escaped to freedom along the 
underground railroad with the help of Lucretia Mott for whom the 
wonderful community of LaMott is now named in Cheltenham Township.
  Communities in my district, Mr. Speaker, such as the beautiful town 
of Penllyn arose because of those men and women who fought so hard for 
their freedom. Even today it is clear that the freedoms we all enjoy 
here in the United States have a special home in places like Bethlehem 
Baptist Church which rose like a monument to freedom for those families 
under the leadership of Rev. Charles Quann.
  What was perhaps most gratifying was to see the pride in the faces of 
the youth of these communities as they learned about the freedom 
fighters who risked everything so their children could breathe the 
sweet air of freedom, justice and equality.
  These great men and women knew that, as Thomas Paine said in ``The 
American Crisis,'' that ``those who expect to reap the blessings of 
freedom must undergo the fatigues of supporting it.''
  Great black leaders and all those who fought for equality have never 
failed to undergo the fatigues of supporting freedom.
  The words and ideals of individuals like the great emancipator 
Abraham Lincoln and the eloquent drum major for peace, Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., rang throughout Montgomery County throughout February 
just as they rang out across the Nation when they were alive.
  The spirit of Harriet Tubman was palpable as our children recalled 
how she inspired a Nation to continue the backbreaking battle for 
freedom.
  Is the battle over? I would have to say no. But for those who have 
grown weary fighting against individuals and groups who would repress a 
people, any people, the events of this month must have had a 
rejuvenating effect on their souls.
  Another freedom fighter, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, once said,

       We look forward to a world founded on the basis of four 
     essential human freedoms. The 
      [[Page H2296]] first is freedom of speech and expression, 
     everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every 
     person to worship God in his own way, everywhere in the 
     world. The third is freedom from want, everywhere in the 
     world. The fourth is freedom from fear, anywhere in the 
     world.

  My friends and colleagues, we still have a distance to travel on this 
journey of equality and justice for all.
  I heard a young man in church recently say to the congregation in the 
words of Frederick Douglass who said, When we are noted for enterprise, 
industry and success, we shall no longer have any hurdles in our quest 
to achieve civil rights for all.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that the people of this Nation will continue to 
recognize the works of King, Tubman, Douglass and Lincoln who have done 
so much to help others. Not it is time that we as a Nation do all we 
can to ensure that their records are emulated and their contribution 
will never be forgotten.


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