[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 20 (Thursday, February 5, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 5, 2015

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black History Month 
and to pay tribute to two important African Americans from Alabama's 
First Congressional District.
   While researching the history of some of my predecessors, I 
discovered that two of the earliest African Americans to serve in 
Congress actually represented the First Congressional District. Mr. 
Benjamin S. Turner served in the House of Representatives from 1871 to 
1873, and Mr. Jeremiah Haralson served in the House from 1875 to 1877. 
I believe it is very fitting that we take time to recognize the lasting 
impact these individuals had on our area, but more importantly the 
influence they had on our nation.
   Both Mr. Turner and Mr. Haralson were born into slavery and not 
provided a quality education. These men did not let slavery stop them 
from becoming educated, as both men worked hard to self-educate. After 
being freed from slavery, Mr. Turner and Mr. Haralson followed 
different paths to Congress. Mr. Turner became a successful businessman 
in south Alabama and was elected tax collector and councilman in Dallas 
County, Alabama. Mr. Haralson worked as a farmer and a minister before 
being elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives and later 
the Alabama State Senate. Both men would go on to represent the First 
Congressional District in Congress as Republicans, the same seat I now 
hold.
   Mr. Speaker, these men serve as a great example and an important 
reminder about our nation's history. These men remind us of the great 
American ideal that each and every person, regardless of the color of 
their skin, should have an opportunity to achieve their dreams. Thanks 
to the dedication and persistence of men like Mr. Turner and Mr. 
Haralson, today there are 46 black lawmakers serving in the 114th 
Congress, including the first-ever female, black Republican.
   So during Black History Month, I encourage all Americans to take 
time to reflect on the past because looking to the past is the only 
true way to really understand common humanity. Let us remember the 
impact of Representatives Turner and Haralson and the countless other 
African Americans from Southwest Alabama who have made a lasting impact 
on our cities, states, and country.

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