[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 24 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, in February, our nation commemorates the 
significant milestones in Black History as we pay homage to the 
individuals who shaped America's history. I am proud that many of the 
great Black leaders and movements in our history came from Harlem. As 
the epicenter of the Black cultural movement of the 1920s known as the 
Harlem Renaissance, the historic neighborhood was home to luminaries 
such as James Baldwin, Madame C.J. Walker, and Duke Ellington. 
Recently, many great political leaders have called Harlem home, 
including David Dinkins, Basil Paterson, and Percy Sutton. Our 
congressional district continues to be a bastion of Black social, 
political, and artistic development.
  I am fortunate to have many excellent organizations in the District 
that promote Black culture, history, and advancement. Our rich heritage 
is preserved through the efforts of The Link's Incorporated, 100 Black 
Men of New York, Coalition of 100 Black Women, Harlem Mothers SAVE, New 
York Urban League, NAACP New York State Conference, NAACP Mid-Manhattan 
Branch, Jazzmobile, Inc., Masjid Malcolm Shabazz Mosque, Harlem 
Congregations for Community Improvement, United Clergy Caucus, 
Mobilizing Preachers and Community (MPAC), Clergy With a Purpose and 
Community, United Baptist Missionary Association, Baptist Ministers' 
Conference of New York & Vicinity, Faison Firehouse Theatre, New 
Heritage Theater Group, Impact Reparatory Theatre, Manna House, The 
Falu Foundation, The Caribbean Cultural Center, The Pan-Hellenic 
Council of New York, The Mama Foundation, and Gospel for Teens.
  Throughout Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of 
Blacks in every facet of our society: Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn 
Dodgers and Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics redefined sports and 
helped propel the civil rights movement; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood 
Marshall and Rep. Shirley Chisholm left an indelible mark in 
government, Louis Armstrong and Langston Hughes influenced generations 
of musicians and poets. And civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. and my dear friend Rep. John Lewis forever changed the 
course of our nation.
  As we mark the 50th Anniversary of the historic march from Selma to 
Montgomery, we pay tribute to our leaders who fought tirelessly for our 
rights and the artists who communicated the feelings of generations of 
Black Americans. Today, the rallying call of Black Lives Matter has 
regenerated a new movement of young social activists such as The 
Justice League NYC as the struggle continues to raise awareness for 
justice and equality throughout urban America. Let us honor the memory 
of the great men and women who paved the path of Black culture and 
achievement and commit to preserving our history by striving to build 
on their legacy.

                          ____________________