[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO HAVE MADE A VITAL ROLE IN SHAPING OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the many 
African Americans who, through personal sacrifice and unyielding 
perseverance, have had a vital role in shaping our nation. African 
Americans have made countless contributions throughout the history of 
the United States in the arts, sciences, literature, politics and in 
the military. They have made these achievements while working under 
extremely adverse conditions. In Virginia, we have a special 
appreciation for Black History Month and for the contributions of 
African-Americans to our state and nation.
  Dr. Carter G. Woodson, considered the father of black history, was 
born in 1875 in Buckingham County, Virginia. Dr. Woodson originally 
conceived Negro History Week in 1926 as a celebration of African 
American achievement. This week of African American recognition later 
became Black History Month. Dr. Woodson was the youngest of nine 
children to former slaves. He was largely self taught due to the long 
hours required of him on his family's farm. Throughout his young 
adulthood, Dr. Woodson worked to support himself while studying. His 
hard work and discipline culminated in his becoming only the second 
African-American to earn his doctorate at Harvard. In 1915, Dr. Woodson 
established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History to 
highlight African American contributions to American history and 
culture. Beginning in 1916, Dr. Woodson began publishing books and 
information on the African American experience in America. He held 
teaching positions at both Howard University and Virginia State 
College. At the end of his life in 1950, Dr. Woodson was working on an 
Encyclopedia Africana. Dr. Woodson is just one of many remarkable 
African Americans from Virginia.
  Other black Virginians have been similarly distinguished. Tennis 
great Arthur Ashe learned to play tennis on segregated courts in 
Richmond and went on to become, not only a legend in the sport but also 
an international human rights leader. Mary Elizabeth Bowser spied for 
the Union army during the Civil War while a servant in the Confederate 
White House in Richmond. Henry ``Box'' Brown shipped himself to freedom 
in 1849 and then went on to become an outspoken advocate for the 
abolition of slavery. Virginia has contemporary African American heroes 
as well. Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald was born in 1918 in Newport News 
Virginia. Samuel Lee Garvey, Jr. of Richmond became the first African 
American Navy Admiral in 1962. Samuel Dewitt Proctor, from Norfolk, who 
passed away in 1997, was a distinguished educator, preacher and 
speaker. Booker T. Washington was born in 1856 in Franklin County and 
became the founder of Tuskegee University in Alabama. And I am proud to 
say that Virginia was the first state in American history to elect an 
African American as Governor. With the election of Doug Wilder in 1989, 
our state made great strides toward healing the painful past for all 
Virginians.
  Black History month is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many 
contributions African Americans have made to the United States. Looking 
back over the history of Virginia and realizing the great things that 
have been accomplished often under harrowing conditions, I am hopeful 
for the future. Virginians and Americans can do much more for the 
greatness of our state and country if we take time to find out about 
one another and then more forward with respect to achieve greatness 
together. The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and 
History has chosen Black History Month 1999 to be time to reflect on 
the theme ``The Legacy of African American Leadership, for the Present 
and Future.'' Virginia has a rich history of Black leadership that I am 
positive will portend a future of continued excellence.

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