[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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