[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 26 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 229--COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND 
        CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN UNITED STATES SENATORS

  Mr. DOLE (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Lautenberg, Mrs. Feinstein, 
and Mr. D'Amato) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 229

       Whereas Black History Month in 1996 is a fitting occasion 
     to direct public attention to the many significant 
     contributions which have been made by African-American 
     citizens in government service to the people of the United 
     States of America; and
       Whereas 125 years ago on February 25, 1870, Republican 
     Hiram Rhodes Revels of Natchez, Mississippi was seated as the 
     first Black citizen to serve in the United States Senate; and
       Whereas the service of Senator Revels, an ordained minister 
     of the Christian Gospel, was distinguished by conscientious 
     support for desegregated public education, reconciliation, 
     equal political opportunity and veterans' benefits and by 
     opposition to discrimination in government employment and 
     political corruption; and
       Whereas Blanche Kelso Bruce of Bolivar County, Mississippi, 
     whose term commenced on March 5, 1875, became the first Black 
     citizen to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate and 
     distinguished himself by supporting equality in Western State 
     land grants, desegregation in the U.S. Army, electoral 
     fairness, equitable treatment of Native Americans and by 
     opposing fraud and incompetence in governmental affairs; and
       Whereas Edward William Brooke of Newton, Massachusetts on 
     January 3, 1967 became the first Black citizen to be elected 
     directly by the people to serve in the U.S. Senate (and then 
     was re-elected), distinguished himself by supporting American 
     history awareness, racial reconciliation initiatives, 
     strengthened foreign relations, stronger higher education, 
     improved veterans' benefits, affordable housing and the 
     performing arts; and
       Whereas Carol Moseley-Braun of Chicago, Illinois on January 
     3, 1993 became the first Black woman and the first Black 
     member of the Democrat Party to be seated in the U.S. Senate 
     and is currently distinguishing herself for her resolute 
     commitment to equal opportunity in education, advocacy of 
     women's and children's rights, support for business 
     entrepreneurship, expanded economic opportunity, equity for 
     family farmers and fiscal responsibility and for her forceful 
     opposition to all forms of crime; and
       Whereas on February 29, 1996 the African-American Alliance, 
     the James E. Chaney Foundation, and Local 372 of District 
     Council 37 of the American Federation of State, County and 
     Municipal Employees, are sponsoring ceremonies in the U.S. 
     Capitol Building to pay tribute to the pioneering legacy of 
     these intrepid and highly esteemed role models: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate does hereby join in 
     honoring these inspiring legislators and expresses profound 
     gratitude for their innumerable substantive contributions to 
     the pursuit of justice, fairness, equality and opportunity 
     for all U.S. citizens.

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