[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E210-E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          1998 CONGRESSIONAL OBSERVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ALLEN BOYD

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, since 1926, America has designated February as 
Black History Month, a time when we honor the achievements of African-
American leaders and their contributions to our great nation. This 
month also provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon the progress 
that Americans have made as a nation in our struggle to promote the 
constitutional ideals of liberty, equality, and justice. In honor of 
Black History Month, I would like to take a moment to recognize Florida 
Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Historically Black College in 
my district that has been nationally recognized not only for the great 
African-American leaders that it has produced, but for also its success 
in fostering these sacred constitutional principles.
  At a time when there is an urgent need for greater access for 
minorities to higher education, FAMU has risen to meet the challenge. 
The school opened its doors on October 3, 1887, when segregation was 
required by law, with 15 students and one professor, but today, student 
enrollment is over 10,000. Even more impressive is the caliber of 
students that FAMU draws to its campus each year: the school competes 
with Harvard annually for the highest number of National Achievement 
Scholars. Recognizing FAMU's high quality education program, last year 
Time magazine and Princeton Review named FAMU The College of the Year.
  FAMU's recent successes can be attributed to its President, Dr. 
Frederick S. Humphries. Dr. Humphries has also received national 
recognition; last month, The Orlando Sentinel named him the Floridian 
of the Year, an award that the paper grants each year to a person

[[Page E211]]

who has made the most outstanding contribution to Florida. Dr. 
Humphries has tirelessly committed his time and energy to promoting the 
interests of FAMU and making the school and its community what it is 
today.
  Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of 
African-Americans. Today, in honor of Black History Month, I hope that 
the citizens of North Florida will take a moment to recognize the work 
that FAMU and Dr. Humphries have done to make high-quality higher 
education available to the nation's African-American students.
  In addition, I would like to encourage my constituents to take time 
to participate in Black History Month. Last month, in honor of Martin 
Luther King, Jr. Day, I took part in several programs throughout North 
Florida to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King. I found these events to 
be a wonderful way to learn more about the history of our nation's 
African-American leaders, and also an opportunity to come together with 
other community members to share in celebration. I greatly enjoyed 
attending both FAMU and Florida State University's events honoring Dr. 
King and participating in Jackson County's Day of Service, among other 
events. I hope that the people of North Florida will use Black History 
Month as a chance to learn more about the great role that African-
Americans play in every facet of our human society; for when we 
recognize the contributions of each individual to the whole, we can 
unify to build a more perfect America.

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