[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E473-E474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, as an original co-sponsor I 
proudly rise in strong support of H. Res. 83, which recognizes the 
significance of Black History Month. Since 1926, the contributions of 
African Americans have been recognized and celebrated each February. It 
comes as no surprise that this year Black History Month is especially 
significant with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation's 44th 
President.
  I thank my colleague and friend from Texas, Congressman Al Green, for 
introducing this very important resolution. The joy we all feel on this 
occasion is tempered by the grief that still lingers over the sudden 
loss last year of our dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio.
  For more than 400 years and despite tremendous hardships such as 
slavery, segregation, and legalized injustice, African Americans

[[Page E474]]

have made significant contributions to the economic, educational, 
political, artistic, literary, religious, scientific, and technological 
life in the United States.
  As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, let me say that it is 
altogether fitting and proper that we set aside the month of February 
to remember and honor the achievements and contributions of American 
heroes like George Washington Carver, Dr. Charles Drew, Justice 
Thurgood Marshall, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Jackie Robinson, 
Crispus Attucks, Tiger Woods, Benjamin Banneker, and Guion Bluford, Jr.
  But Mr. Speaker, nothing wilts so fast as laurels that are rested 
upon. Time marches on and history unfolds daily. The greatest 
contributions to the American experience are yet to be made. The 
challenges facing our country are great but not as great as our will to 
overcome them. We have an economy to rebuild, an environment to 
protect, a generation to educate, diseases to cure, and lives to 
reclaim.
  We will succeed. And when the history of this period is written, I 
have no doubt that it will record the tremendous accomplishments made 
by Americans, including African Americans.
  We will rebuild our economy, preserve the environment and protect the 
planet, end the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other scourges; provide a world 
class education to the next generation; and demonstrate to the world 
not only that it is possible but desirable for people of different 
races, creeds, and religions to live and work together in peace and 
harmony.
  As members of the greatest legislative body in the world it remains 
our duty this month and every month of every year to pursue policies 
that promote social and economic justice.
  As an African American woman and legislator who has been benefited 
from the pioneering work of others, I am committed to doing all that I 
can to ensure that the doors of opportunity are opened even wider and 
that all persons in our country have the opportunity to fulfill their 
potential and realize their dreams.
  I urge all Members to joining me in voting to support this 
resolution.

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