[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 19 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S345-S346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam President, I rise to join my fellow
Coloradans, my colleagues in the U.S. Congress and others across the
Nation to celebrate Black History Month. I am honored to recognize the
contributions of the African-American community in the United States
and especially in my home State of Colorado.
I am particularly proud to reflect on the legacy of community
involvement exemplified by Colorado's Black community, from Colorado's
earliest days as a western territory to the present. There have been
many community leaders, public officials, and entrepreneurs who have
contributed immensely over the years to make our great State what it is
today, from our historic and cultural institutions, to the farms and
small businesses of our rural communities.
One gentleman named James Beckwourth, whom I have recognized in
previous years as a true frontiersmen, exemplifies the entrepreneurial
spirit that led to the building of the economic foundations that
supported the formation of our great State. He led expeditions into
Colorado's Rocky Mountains in the 1820s and returned in the 1830s to
serve at Fort Vasquez near Denver. In the 1840s, he co-founded a
trading post and settlement named Fort Pueblo to serve as a trading hub
for the Native Americans, Mexican settlers and other American
frontiersmen along the Santa Fe Trail. This settlement eventually
became the City of Pueblo and still serves as a commercial hub for
Southeast Colorado.
Mr. Beckwourth exemplifies the entrepreneurship that continues to
thrive in all of Colorado's African-American communities. Today, I
would like to specifically recognize the importance of the continuation
of the entrepreneurial spirit in Black communities throughout Colorado
and share how much it has strengthened Colorado's economy and will
continue to help lead our country on the path to economic recovery.
The increase in the number of minority-owned businesses has been a
bright spot in our economy. According to the Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA), operated by the Department of Commerce,
minority-owned businesses contributed $1 trillion to the economy last
year and created 5.8 million jobs. Specifically, the total number of
African-American owned businesses grew to 1.9 million firms between
2002 and 2007, an increase of 61 percent. This figure is particularly
impressive when compared to the employment growth in the rest of the
country during that same time period, which was less than 1 percent.
In Colorado, the total number of minority-owned firms increased by 19
percent between 1997 and 2002. By 2007, this figure had increased even
further as there were over 59,000 firms, employing over 74,000 workers,
and the numbers continue to grow. African-American-owned businesses are
an important part of this driving force in our State's economy. Along
with all other minority-owned businesses, the increase in African-
American owned businesses in Colorado has helped sustain our economy
and stimulate job growth. The most recent data show there are more than
9,000 African-American-owned businesses in Colorado. These businesses
are especially valued in Colorado because they not only provide jobs to
Coloradans, they also provide essential services that meet the needs of
both African-American and non-African-American communities. And as we
know, successful businesses have a positive economic ripple effect
throughout our communities.
In spite of the rising number of minority-owned businesses in
Colorado, barriers to success still exist, and in some cases the
challenges facing minority-owned businesses can be particularly
difficult. This is why I was proud to welcome the creation of the
Denver Minority Business Center last summer. The Denver Minority
Business Center is an extension of the Minority Business Development
Agency, and will further supplement our State's commitment to
supporting minority owned businesses by providing the resources to
develop technical skills and to access capital and contracting
opportunities. Within the last 3 years alone the MBDA has helped create
11,000 new jobs nationally and helped save thousands of existing jobs
at minority-owned firms by helping secure $7 billion in contracts.
As we celebrate the diverse and profound contributions of African-
Americans to our State, I hope we will remember to appreciate the
positive and sustaining impact of African-American owned businesses,
and I hope we will continue to support the creation of new minority
owned businesses in all corners of our State. I encourage all
Coloradans to join me in reflecting on the invaluable contributions of
African Americans to our State and throughout our great Nation--not
only during Black History Month, but every month of the year.
Mr. BEGICH. Madam President, I wish to recognize February as Black
History Month. Each February our Nation focuses on the contributions
African Americans have made in shaping our Nation. This year, the
Association
[[Page S346]]
for the Study of African American Life and History has declared the
theme for 2012: ``Black Women In American Culture and History.''
Each year since 1976, the President issues an executive proclamation
naming February as African American History Month. More than a half
dozen Federal agencies, including the Library of Congress, conduct
celebrations, programs, and activities relating to this rich history.
I join them in recognizing the importance of remembering the
contributions made by such memorable figures as Rosa Parks, Shirley
Chisholm, Sojourner Truth and Maya Angelou just to name a few, and our
country's initial African-American First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Just as importantly, countless unsung African-American women have
made a mark in their communities by caring for their families, teaching
our youth, running successful businesses, serving their churches, and
getting elected to public office.
Many African Americans spent their entire lives without getting the
credit they deserved. By focusing on Black history in February, we can
give overdue acknowledgement and perhaps inspire our young African
Americans to continue to achieve greatness.
In Alaska, African Americans have worked to build our communities
with their many contributions.
I urge all Alaskans and other Americans to examine and contemplate
the significance of the contributions that African-American men and
women have made in determining the course of these United States of
America.
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