[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 42 (Monday, March 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2416-H2418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 198) recognizing the significance of 
Black History Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 198

       Whereas the first African Americans were brought forcibly 
     to the shores of America as early as the 17th century;
       Whereas African Americans were enslaved in the United 
     States and subsequently faced the injustices of lynch mobs, 
     segregation, and denial of basic, fundamental rights;
       Whereas despite this enslavement, early Black Americans 
     made significant contributions to the economic, educational, 
     political, artistic, literary, religious, scientific, and 
     technological advancement of the United States;
       Whereas in the face of these injustices, United States 
     citizens of all races distinguished themselves in their 
     commitment to ideals of which the United States was founded 
     and fought for the rights and freedom of African Americans;
       Whereas the United States was conceived, as stated in the 
     Declaration of Independence, as a new country dedicated to 
     the proposition that ``all Men are created equal, that they 
     are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, 
     that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of 
     Happiness'';
       Whereas since its founding, the United States has been an 
     imperfect work in making progress towards those noble goals;
       Whereas the history of the United States is the story of a 
     people regularly affirming high ideals, striving to reach 
     them but often failing, and then struggling to come to terms 
     with the disappointment of that failure before committing 
     themselves to trying again; and
       Whereas the month of February is officially celebrated as 
     Black History Month, which dates back to 1926, when Dr. 
     Carter G. Woodson set aside a special period of time in 
     February to recognize the heritage and achievement of Black 
     Americans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the significance of Black History Month as 
     an important time to recognize the contributions of Black 
     Americans in the Nation's history, and encourages the 
     continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity 
     for all people of the United States to learn more about the 
     past and to better understand the experiences that have 
     shaped the Nation; and
       (2) affirms that--
       (A) the contributions of Black Americans are a significant 
     part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United 
     States; and
       (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States 
     enriches and strengthens the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, every February Americans celebrate African American 
Black History Month. This tribute dates back to 1926, and it is 
credited to a Harvard scholar, Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson, the 
son of former slaves, dedicated his life to ensuring that black history 
was accurately documented and disseminated.
  In an effort to bring national attention to the contributions of 
African Americans, Dr. Woodson organized the first annual Negro History 
Week in 1926. He selected the second week of February, during which 
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had celebrated their birthdays.
  Later, Woodson's contributions helped emerge during the civil rights 
campaign of the 1950s and 1960s, where the black studies movement began 
to spawn African American history, theory courses, programs and 
departments on the Nation's college and university campuses. During the 
early 1970s, Negro History Week was renamed Black History Week; and in 
1976, it officially became Black History Month, designating all of 
February for the recognition of African American history.
  In 1926, during the time for the first organized tribute to black 
history, the sociopolitical landscape in this country for African 
Americans was demonstrably different than it is today. At that time, 
``separate but equal,'' a doctrine that afforded African Americans 
second-class citizenship, was the law of the land, although it was an 
immoral one.
  Through many historic efforts of many Americans of all races, 
legalized discrimination became a thing of the past. This body passed 
landmark legislation, most notably the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 
Voting Rights Act of 1965. This was just 43 and 42 years ago when 
President Lyndon Johnson signed these legislative measures into law, 
laws that prevented Jim Crow laws from subjugating and denying African 
Americans the right to vote in certain southern States, the imposition 
of poll taxes, the segregation of schools, housing, bus and train 
transportation, restrooms and other public accommodations.

                              {time}  1515

  Moreover, Black History Month is also promoting public awareness of 
the struggles and achievements of African Americans. We must continue 
to build

[[Page H2417]]

on the existence of the past and look forward to the future.
  African Americans, over the years, have made great strides, but, yet, 
we still have a long way to go. For instance, in 2005, there were 37 
million poor people in America. The poverty rate is about 24.9 percent 
for blacks, compared to 8.3 percent for whites.
  The homeownership rate among white households is about 74.2 percent, 
compared to 47.1 percent for African Americans. This huge gap between 
white and black homeowners will continue to be a primary factor that 
will undermine the growth of African Americans and their family 
structure to obtain wealth, capital assets and better neighborhoods.
  While 5 percent of the world's population lives in the United States, 
we have 25 percent of the world's prison population in United States 
jails and prisons. Nationally, the Bureau of Justice statistics reports 
that the United States incarcerates 2 million people. Whites are about 
36 percent, compared to 46 percent for blacks in prison.
  As some of us know, the majority of people in prison are attributed 
to drug convictions. The law is not equally applied when it comes to 
drug offenses involving crack and powder cocaine. Five grams of crack 
cocaine brings a mandatory sentence of 5 years, compared to 5 grams of 
powder cocaine, which has no sentencing requirements, and the possessor 
of powder may get probation. Of course, a disproportionate number of 
the individuals who use crack cocaine are African Americans.
  These are just a few barriers that many African Americans confront 
every day. And so when we honor Black History Month, we are recognizing 
the struggles and achievements of African Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that Representative Al Green, who is the sponsor 
of this legislation, had intended to be here today to speak on it. 
Unfortunately, he had to be away in Texas taking care of some 
activities in his district, and I would ask that he be allowed to 
submit his statement for the Record.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 198, and urge all of my colleagues to 
vote for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I am honored to speak today in support of H. Res. 198, recognizing 
the significance of Black History Month.
  Each February we express our appreciation of the struggles, 
determination and perseverance of the African American community of the 
past and present. February is a time to recognize the contributions of 
black Americans that have enriched our culture and our heritage.
  There have been great activists, politicians, artists, writers, 
poets, scientists, economists, athletes, entertainers and musicians 
that have all bettered our way of life. These achievements, the 
achievements of so many, have encouraged today's youth to strive for a 
more equal and free country.
  It is impossible to celebrate Black History Month without mentioning 
such noted leaders as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther 
King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. These achievers, and others, have helped make 
this country what it is today.
  Today's popular culture is replete with African American icons, 
through sports, music and the entertainment industry, icons such as 
Richard Pryor, Halle Berry, Tiger Woods, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, 
Muhammad Ali, and Hank Aaron.
  The music industry alone has influenced our culture for decades, 
Louis Armstrong, Dorothy Dandridge, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., 
and Georgia's own Ray Charles, each of whom overcame adversity before 
and during the civil rights movement just to play their music.
  When Harvard scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson had the idea to create a 
week-long celebration of black history back in 1926, his goal was, and 
I quote, ``to make the world see the Negro as a participant rather than 
as a lay figure in history.'' Over time, it has become the month-long 
celebration and commemoration that it is today. It is with great 
pleasure that I speak today in support of H. Res. 198.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) for his statement. And I also want to 
thank him for the opportunity to work with him today during this 
process. It has indeed been a pleasure.
  I also want to commend Representative Green from Texas for his 
introduction of this legislation.
  In closing, let me also indicate that it is important that we look at 
the contributions that all racial ethnic groups have made to the 
development of this great country that we call the United States of 
America.
  There is no group who didn't come here looking for something 
different than what they had. And fortunately, for many of them, they 
have been able to find that America is, indeed, a country where every 
person can have the opportunity to grow and develop to be a part of.
  I have been pleasured, I guess, to represent many high profile 
individuals, African Americans like Oprah Winfrey, who is in my 
congressional district, like Michael Jordan, who played basketball out 
at the stadium in my district.
  But I often tell young people that I grew up in an environment where 
we were taught to read by unlocking words. And to us, history sort of 
meant, at that time, his story. And so I encourage them to think of 
what I call mystery, which becomes my story. And so each one of us have 
an opportunity to contribute to the further development of this great 
Nation.
  I commend the gentleman for introducing H. Res. 198. I urge its 
passage.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong support of Congressman Al Green's Resolution to honor Black 
History Month.
  Founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month serves as a 
time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African-Americans 
in shaping our Nation. It brings to life a rich and vibrant history 
that was all too often untold.
  The fact is that until there was a Black History Month, prominent 
African-Americans were virtually left out of our Nation's school books. 
Often, the only mention of African-Americans would reference the 
institution of slavery. This is simply unacceptable. Black history is 
not an anonymous footnote, and expands well beyond the institution of 
slavery. We have great leaders who fought to overcome the oppression of 
slavery and that of Jim Crow. We have great scientific minds and 
inventors. We have extraordinary novelists, poets, and musicians. These 
are not nameless, faceless individuals, but people who have helped 
shape our Nation.
  Because of Black History Month we have expanded our schoolchildren's 
curriculum. Our children now learn about Frederick Douglas, Thurgood 
Marshall, Malcolm X and Toni Morrison. These are names and stories that 
our children otherwise may not have known. With Black History Month we 
are preserving our abundant history for future generations.
  I commend Congressman Green for bringing this important Resolution to 
the floor and I strongly urge my colleagues' support.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 198, a 
resolution I authored recognizing the significance of Black History 
Month. This piece of legislation is supported by conservatives, 
moderates and liberals. It is a piece of legislation that I received 
not one negative comment on. Every person that I requested agreed to 
support the legislation. So I thank those who supported it.
  I am delighted that 80 Members of Congress joined me in cosponsoring 
this bipartisan resolution which serves as a testament to our united 
desire to inform all Americans about the contributions made by persons 
of diverse backgrounds to the development of our great country.
  Black History Month is a time of the year when all Americans of every 
race and ethnicity are given the opportunity to study the untold 
history of African-Americans and their contributions to American and 
world civilization. Additionally, Black history is American history and 
it is essential that we recognize the great contributions of all 
Americans by commemorating this month long celebration.
  My resolution:
  Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important 
time to recognize the contributions of Black Americans in the nation's 
history;
  Encourages the continued celebration of this month to provide an 
opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about the 
past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the 
nation;

[[Page H2418]]

  Affirms that the contributions of Black Americans are a significant 
part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and 
the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and 
strengthens the nation.
  Black History Month is also a special time to honor pioneers such as 
Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, W.E.B. 
DuBois, and many others who fought for the complete freedom and full 
emancipation of African-Americans. That is why we use Black History 
Month and every month to honor their wonderful contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues support H. Res. 198, a resolution 
recognizing the significance of Black History Month.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to show my support for the 
principles of Black History Month. I was privileged to be a part of the 
recent Congressional trip to Selma, Alabama. While in that historic 
city, we joined together and walked in the footsteps of the brave 
individuals who fought to ensure that the rights and opportunities of 
our Nation would be available to all of its people.
  The Civil Rights Movement was not the first call for freedom and 
equality in our Nation's history, and it will not be the last. But its 
success provided a blueprint for future generations to follow, an 
example of hope to all those who seek to secure the basic freedoms 
guaranteed by our Constitution.
  The history of African Americans extends far beyond the Civil Rights 
Movement. The works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and 
Thurgood Marshall will resonate in American society for generations to 
come. There are so many African Americans who have made notable 
contributions to our Nation. For example, Benjamin Banneker blazed new 
trails in astronomy, accurately predicting solar and lunar eclipses and 
Dr. Charles Richard Drew developed techniques in blood storage and 
helped to develop the blood banks which have saved countless military 
and civilian lives over the years. And there are many others, in fields 
too numerous to name. What is important is that we take time to honor, 
to remember, and to revere all of these individuals.
  Black History month gives all Americans an opportunity to recognize 
and continue to learn about African-American history, which is the 
history of our Nation. I am proud to do my part to help promote the 
contributions that African Americans have made to our country.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 198.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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