[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H618-H621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1500
RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1046) recognizing the significance of Black
History Month.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1046
Whereas the first Africans were brought involuntarily to
the shores of the America as early as the 17th century;
Whereas these Africans in America and their descendants are
now known as African-Americans;
Whereas African-Americans suffered enslavement and
subsequently faced the injustices of lynch mobs, segregation,
and denial of basic, fundamental rights;
Whereas despite slavery, African-Americans in all walks of
life have made significant contributions throughout the
history of the United States, including through the--
(1) writings of Booker T. Washington, Phyllis Wheatley,
James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale
Hurston, and Alex Haley;
(2) music of Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, John
Coltrane, Bessie Smith, and Duke Ellington;
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(3) resolve of athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Althea
Gibson, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, and Muhammad Ali;
(4) scientific advancements of George Washington Carver,
Charles Drew, Benjamin Banneker, and Mae Jemison;
(5) vision of leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Mary
McLeod Bethune, Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, and
Shirley Chisholm; and
(6) bravery of those who stood on the front lines in the
battle against oppression, such as Sojourner Truth, Fannie
Lou Hammer, and Rosa Parks;
Whereas in the face of injustices, United States citizens
of good will and of all races distinguished themselves with
their commitment to the noble ideals upon which the United
States was founded and courageously fought for the rights and
freedom of African-Americans;
Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived and died to make
real these noble ideas;
Whereas Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th President
of the United States, making him the first African-American
chief executive and breaking one of the last racial barrier
in politics in this country;
Whereas the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick
Douglass inspired the creation of Negro History Week, the
precursor to Black History Month;
Whereas Negro History Week represented the culmination of
Dr. Carter G. Woodson's efforts to enhance knowledge of Black
history started through the Journal of Negro History,
published by Woodson's Association for the Study of African-
American Life and History; 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 African-
Americans in the Nation's history, and encourages the
continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity
for all peoples of the United States to learn more about the
past and to better understand the experiences that have
shaped the Nation; and
(2) recognizes that ethnic and racial diversity of the
United States enriches and strengthens the Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms.
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
General Leave
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and add any extraneous materials.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I present House Resolution 1046 for consideration. This
legislation recognizes the significance of Black History Month, which
is annually commemorated during the month of February.
Introduced by my colleague, Representative Al Green of Texas, on
January 27, 2010, House Resolution 1046 enjoys the support of over 60
Members of Congress. Notably, today's floor consideration of the bill
offers Members of this body an additional opportunity to pay tribute to
the remarkable and diverse contributions that African Americans have
made to our Nation's history and culture.
Madam Speaker, as we all know, the month of February marks our annual
commemoration of Black History Month. Originally celebrated as Negro
History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a renowned African American
author and scholar, our annual tribute to the leading role of African
Americans in our Nation's history has since grown to a month-long
commemorative celebration.
Whether we recall the story of Crispus Attucks, an African American
from my home State of Massachusetts who became the first American
casualty of the Revolutionary War, or the works of such compelling
individuals as Harriet Tubman, Dr. King, Malcolm X, Madam C.J. Walker,
and General Colin Powell, we all understand that the contributions of
African Americans are intricately woven into our identity as a people
and as a Nation.
Similarly, we need not look further than the thousands of brave
military service men and women who have served and who are continuing
to serve our Nation with honor and distinction at home and abroad, or
the distinguished members of our own Congressional Black Caucus, or of
course our 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, to
witness the diverse and significant influence of African Americans on
American society.
Madam Speaker, it is also important to note that it is not just our
African American pioneers or leaders that have made such a difference.
Importantly, it is the everyday citizen that is serving as a teacher, a
mentor, a pastor, a doctor, a first responder, a public servant, or a
parent who continues to impact our Nation's history in an equally
powerful and positive way.
Across our Nation, Black History Month is marked by a variety of
educational and cultural programs, as well as special celebrations and
events designed to share the strength, ingenuity, and accomplishment of
our fellow citizens with the world.
Madam Speaker, as we move to recognize Black History Month in 2010,
let us all recall the experience and valuable contributions of African
Americans to the United States of America. Moreover, let us not forget
that black history is, in truth, American history.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1046.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I am honored today to speak in support of H. Res.
1046, recognizing the significance of Black History Month. Just a few
weeks ago we celebrated the life and accomplishments of one great man,
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and today we pay tribute to the
contributions all African Americans have made to this great country.
Each February we express our appreciation for the perseverance and
determination of the African American community, while keeping in mind
the adversity they endured. Nothing serves as a better example of this
than the civil rights movement. Dr. King often said it was not the sole
efforts of one man, but the collective work of many that brought about
change. Today our Nation would not have the strong diversity of which
it is so proud.
In order to better understand the experiences that have shaped this
Nation, we must continue to learn about the historical struggles and
recognize the contributions of African Americans that have enriched our
culture and heritage. Our way of life has been bettered by the great
African American activists, politicians, artists, writers, poets,
scientists, economists, athletes, and entertainers who have contributed
to the tapestry of our American culture. The achievements of all these
people have encouraged today's youth to strive for a more equal and
free country.
Noted leaders such as Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall,
Frederick Douglass, and of course Martin Luther King, Jr., inspired a
nation through their valiant efforts and showed the way to begin the
quest to end racial inequality.
In 1926, Harvard scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson proposed a week-long
celebration of black history. Over time, the entire month of February
has been designated to commemorate African Americans in America. And
today, I speak in support of H. Res. 1046.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I welcome and appreciate the kind remarks
of the lady from North Carolina.
In closing, I simply ask all Members to support Representative Al
Green of Texas, who is the lead sponsor of this resolution. I urge all
members to vote ``yes'' on House Resolution 1046.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in
support of House Resolution 1046 to recognize the significance of Black
History Month.
In February of every year, people across the country cast their
thoughts on the long and unique history of African-Americans. It is
particularly important to do so to both celebrate the accomplishments
and remember the lengthy struggle that the African-American community
has endured in this country. We have benefitted immensely from notables
such as Booker T. Washington, Duke Ellington, Althea Gibson, George
Washington Carver, and Zora Neale Hurston in addition to political and
civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr, Shirley Chisholm,
Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, and Sojourner Truth.
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I am proud of how far we have come as a community, but as we look to
the future, I am also reminded of the challenges that the 21st century
is presenting to us. African-American ingenuity has been key in
developing many of our modern technologies and high-tech devices.
However, as the world becomes a more interconnected and technological
place, there is an increased need for experts in science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) professions. This trend makes it
remarkably important to nurture and attract America's minority youth,
the fastest growing college-eligible population, to the sciences. For
this reason, I am introducing a resolution during Black History Month
to recognize the importance of African-American contributions to
scientific innovation, and I encourage my fellow colleagues to join me
in supporting it.
Madam Speaker, Black History Month is not only a time to look to the
past, but also to reflect on the present and prepare for the future.
The African-American community has overcome many obstacles throughout
our country's history, and as we continue down a path toward
prosperity, I know that this community will play an integral role in
the years ahead. I encourage my fellow colleagues to support this
resolution and join me in recognizing Black History Month.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that
I rise today in strong support of this resolution recognizing the
importance of Black History Month. Each February we come together to
commemorate the trials, tribulations, achievements and accomplishments
of African Americans throughout history. I applaud the actions of
Representative Al Green from Texas for bringing this resolution
forward.
Recognizing the importance of African-American heritage, Carter G.
Woodson, Harvard University's second African-American graduate, in
conjunction with Omega Psi Phi fraternity, created Negro History and
Literature Week to honor the births of Fredrick Douglass and President
Abraham Lincoln. Although the name was eventually changed to Negro
History Week in 1926, Americans trace the origins of the month long
celebration of African-American history to Woodson's efforts.
Highlighting the historical contributions of numerous African-
American luminaries including Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington
Carver, and Booker T. Washington, Black History Month celebrates the
unique individuals and events that have shaped the African-American
diaspora for centuries. From the detested years of enslavement, the
passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, the social inequities of Jim
Crow laws, the famed artistic ingenuity of the Harlem Renaissance, the
social evolution of the civil rights movement, and the notable election
of Barack Obama, the first African-American President, Black History
Month serves as a reminder of the great strides that African Americans
have made and the inherent promise of generations to come.
Madam Speaker, the 4th District of Georgia is home to several sites
of historical significance among African Americans. Flat Rock, one of
the few African-American communities to survive the pre-Civil War era,
is the embodiment of what Black History Month promotes--honoring those
who have come before us to shape the present. By preserving the
legacies of the slaves who founded this community, Flat Rock serves as
a lasting piece of black history.
Madam Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, every year in February, America
pauses to honor the rich heritage and tremendous contributions of
African Americans past and present. Black History Month is a time to
recognize and pay tribute to the many trials and triumphs of African
Americans, which are intricately woven into the fabric of our nation.
Simply put, Black history is American history.
The theme of Black History Month this year, ``The History of Black
Economic Employment,'' could not be more fitting as our nation
continues on the road to full economic recovery. The current economic
crisis has impacted all Americans, but communities of color,
particularly African Americans, have been among the hardest hit. The
evidence is clear--glaring disparities between African Americans and
others can be found in every economic indicator and they must not be
ignored.
The Congressional Black Caucus has long championed the elimination of
disparities wherever they exist. Where there is a major disparity
between rich and poor or between one race or gender and another, there
is a moral gap. The job of the Congressional Black Caucus is to help
fill in the moral gaps. For 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus
has sought moral equality, for Black Americans and ultimately all
Americans.
As we take this time to acknowledge Black History month we must all
recommit ourselves to fulfilling the bedrock principles of our nation:
liberty, equality, and opportunity for all. To fill in these gaps for
African Americans is to fill them in for all Americans.
Tonight, in particular we pay tribute to unsung heroes who contribute
greatly to make our communities better and stronger.
In my district, the Ninth Congressional District of California I'd
like to honor some individuals who don't always receive the recognition
they deserve.
I will start with Nicole Taylor.
Ms. Taylor is president and CEO of the East Bay Community Foundation
and she has been a trailblazer for this philanthropic organization
since joining the foundation in 2007.
The East Bay Community Foundation is a leading resource for
mobilizing financial resources and community leadership to transform
the lives of people in the East Bay. Ms. Taylor and the East Bay
Community Foundation have identified two interrelated issues that they
believe can lead to this transformation: Support for young children to
succeed with a focus on the critical period of birth to third grade,
and enhancing economic opportunities for adults and families,
particularly those with significant barriers to achieving employment
and financial stability. Ms. Taylor has also worked with my district
office to develop a Website that was designed to make it easier for
non-profits and faith-based organizations to gain access to Recovery
funds.
Under her watch, the East Bay Community Foundation managed about $285
million in charitable funds and made grants over $34 million in the
most recent fiscal year.
Art Shanks, the executive director of the Cypress Mandela Training
Center. For the past 17 years, Mr. Shanks has been pioneer in using the
development of green jobs to not only to address environment and create
green jobs that can serve as a pathway out of poverty.
The Cypress Mandela Training Center is the community resource
committed to enhancing the viability of the construction trades
industry through quality life skills and technical training in directed
pre-apprentice programs. These programs promote positive life change
and teach multi-trade expertise that serve as a bridge for empowering a
diverse socio-economic community at large
Mr. Shanks joined the Cypress Mandela Training Center in Oakland, CA
since its inception in 1993. Two years later, Mr. Shanks was elevated
to Project Director responsible for the overall operation of the
training center, including its economic stability and the development
of the curriculum.
As a result of Mr. Shanks' efforts, the Cypress Mandela Training
Center has evolved into a nationally acclaimed pre-apprenticeship
program. Mr. Shanks has been recognized by the Building Trades for
placing well over 1,700 disenfranchised, and under-represented men and
women of color into union apprenticeship programs.
Margaret Gordon, commissioner for the Port of Oakland.
Over the last decade, Margaret Gordon has been respected locally as a
strong voice of reason and intellect not only in her West Oakland
community, but regionally as well. The longtime health and
environmental advocate has earned statewide respect on Port issues.
A recipient of the 2007 Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame award,
Ms. Gordon is one of the founding members of both the West Oakland
Environmental Indicators Project and the Alameda County Stakeholder
Project for the Environmental Health Tracking Project. In 2006, Ms.
Gordon was a presenter at a Port-related conference concerned with
trucking, shipping and logistics sponsored by the Intermodal Maritime
Association, while also contributing to the development of two
community-based participatory research reports and the publications,
``Neighborhood Knowledge for Change'' and ``Reducing Diesel Pollution
in West Oakland''. Moreover, during this period she was instrumental in
the design of the 7th St/McClymonds Corridor Neighborhood Improvement
Initiative and was co-chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee, the
group assembled to oversee replacement of the Cypress freeway following
the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.
In 2001, Ms. Gordon and the Pacific Institute, an environmental
research and policy group based in the city of Oakland, launched the
West Oakland Environmental Indicators project. The study concluded that
diesel emissions in West Oakland were five times higher than the rest
of the city. That study promoted the several local efforts to remediate
contamination at the Port of Oakland and to increase efforts to reduce
diesel emissions.
Most recently, Ms. Gordon co-wrote ``Healthy Home Indoor Air Quality
Project,'' a report proposing ways to reduce diesel emissions in the
community. The document has been submitted to local and federal
environmental health agencies for review.
I will conclude with my good friend Keith Carson, Alameda County
Supervisor.
Keith Carson was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors,
Fifth District in 1992 on a platform dedicated to inclusive and
accessible government.
As a native of Berkeley California, Keith has longstanding roots in
the progressive community, yet clearly understands the role business
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must play in the development of thriving communities. Supervisor Carson
has been the Chair of the Alameda County Budget Workgroup for over 10
years and in that time the County has been forced to cut over $2
Billion out of their budget. Supervisor Carson has brought together
County Department Heads, unions, civic leaders to devise yearly
formulas for balancing the ever declining budget. The County is the
safety net for residents and through this process will continue to
struggle to provide much needed life supporting services.
Years before California beget a process of dumping state prisoners in
local government through their early release program, Supervisor Carson
had been attempting to reconnect those who are returning from jail or
prison in a way that would allow them to become productive citizens.
Supervisor Carson and I have worked closely with other local elected
officials to organize a yearly event allowing people to have their
records cleared when appropriate, and provide information about other
key services hoping to curb the rate of recidivism. While his work
speaks volumes, it is his compassion for people that drives his
success. Alameda County is a microcosm of America's ethnic and business
diversity. He uses Alameda County's diversity to its fullest in
attempting to bring all voices to the decisionmaking process. As he
often says ``the only way one of us survives is if we all work
together''.
These are just a few examples of African-American in my district who
go to work everyday determined to improve the lives of those who reside
in their communities. And today, I salute them.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening in
commemoration of Black History Month as we celebrate and honor the
tremendous achievements of African Americans.
At no time in history has there been a greater need to rethink the
role of government given the current socio-economic conditions of
African Americans residing within disinvested communities wrought with:
Poor performing schools that fail to provide African American
children the math, science, and reading skills vital to securing jobs
in today's global economy;
Lack of access to sustainable and gainful employment to become
productive members of society; and lastly,
Lack of self-sufficiency of income and wealth to ensure the well-
being of our children and our nation.
In celebration of the resiliency of African Americans past and
present, as the Chair of the Child Welfare Brain Trust, I am hosting a
forum tomorrow examining the pathways out of poverty.
This forum will introduce a platform to assess the efficacy of human
service programs in light of current socio-economic and budgetary
constraints at this crucial time in history. As policymakers, we must
decide how to address the needs of all American families living at and
below the poverty line, of which Black families constitute a
disproportionate share.
We will also examine ways in which select federal programs can be
realigned to create more interagency cooperation and collaboration,
especially in light of current budgetary constraints. Our nation's
future depends on it.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we celebrate with a forward
focus in addressing the holistic needs of all Americans.
Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1046.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________