[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 29, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2019

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and sincere 
admiration that I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and its 
2019 theme--Black Migrations. This year's theme reflects on the mass 
movement of African Americans from the rural south to northern, 
western, and mid-western cities of the United States from approximately 
1916 to 1970. This profound movement has played a critical role in 
changing the landscape of American society for the better and has 
helped to shape our wonderfully diverse and truly remarkable nation.
   During World War I, the first large migrations took place, with over 
400,000 African Americans moving from the south and inhabiting major 
northern cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. In the 1920s, 
another 800,000 people left the south, followed by another 400,000 in 
the 1930s. Between 1940 and 1960, over 3,300,000 African Americans had 
migrated from southern states to resettle in northern and western 
cities. While there were numerous reasons for this migration, many 
individuals and families were hoping to escape the economic oppression 
they were experiencing in the south, which left little room for 
economic growth. World War I created a demand for workers in the steel 
mills, factories, and railroads, and most people moved for higher 
paying jobs. When the migration began, a factory wage in the north was 
more than three times the amount an African American could expect to 
make working the land in the south. By World War II, African American 
people continued to move north but also settled west, in California, 
Oregon, and Washington.
   Black migration influenced religion, music, literature, arts, social 
perspectives, tradition, and the history of our nation, and we are 
forever grateful for the impact it had on creating a rich, culturally 
diverse America. In addition, African Americans now had a new voice in 
shaping public policy through political activism. However, while the 
movement brought more opportunity and ideas, African Americans 
continued to fight with racism, prejudice, and injustice. During this 
time, there were numerous race riots in the north, including the 
Chicago Race Riot of 1919, which lasted thirteen days, leaving 38 
people dead, 537 people injured, and 1,000 black families without 
homes. While our great country has made tremendous strides in the fight 
for equality and civil rights, there is much work to be done.
   Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join 
me in celebrating Black History Month. This month and always, it is 
important that we honor and celebrate America's greatest advocates for 
equal rights and civil liberties. As we pay tribute to these heroes of 
American history, let us remember their profound perseverance, 
sacrifice, and struggle in the fight for freedom and equality, and the 
remarkable impact their contributions have had in shaping our great 
nation.

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