[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E238-E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING AFRICAN-AMERICANS

                                 ______


                          HON. OWEN B. PICKETT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 1996

  Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, as we again celebrate Black History Month, 
it is important to take note of the profound influence that African-
Americans have had on American history and American society.
  From the early days of our Republic when much of our country's 
economy rested on the backs of slave labor, to the complex 
commercialism of modern America the thread of black history has 
steadily grown and expanded.

[[Page E239]]

  While much remains to be done to achieve equal opportunity that is 
more than just a phrase or slogan we can still take pride in the 
stunning achievements made by so many African-Americans that has often 
been overlooked in our recorded history.
  These contributions have covered the spectrum of cultural, economic, 
political, and scientific advances that are widely heralded and well 
known, but many others, less publicized, have equal significance to 
society.
  African-Americans comprise about 12 percent of our population and are 
our largest minority group. We need but look around us, in our 
workplace, in entertainment, sports, politics, religion, sciences, 
education, and throughout our daily lives to understand the importance 
of their accomplishments.
  I realize that the celebration of Black History Month has origins 
that go back much farther than the formal program we celebrate today 
which originated in 1976. It was Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who in 1926 
first began setting aside a period of time in February to recall the 
now voluminous heritage, achievements, and contributions of African-
Americans.
  Singling out any one person or achievement without also giving equal 
acknowledgment to the many others of equal fame or public 
acknowledgment would not do justice to the rich history of one of our 
Nation's most important minority groups.
  I join all Americans in saluting Black History Month 1996.

                          ____________________