[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 41 (Monday, March 2, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E244-E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST 2020 GRADES 6-8

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                        HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 2, 2020

  Mr. McEACHIN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize exemplary middle and high school students from Virginia's 
Fourth Congressional District who were selected as winners of the Black 
History Month essay contest I hosted earlier this month. I am inspired 
by the words of these students, and I encourage young people across our 
country to reflect on what this month means to them personally.
  Since its creation less than 50 years ago, Black History Month has 
been a time to honor

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and recognize the remarkable achievements of the African-American 
community. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
these distinguished students and their accomplishments in celebration 
of Black History Month.
  I include in the Record Trenton Blake Townes' winning essay:
What Black History Month Means to Me

                       (By Trenton Blake Townes)

       As an African American male, Black History means a great 
     deal to me. In todays society racism impacts the lives of my 
     people in a number of ways and for me that is very scary. 
     Black history means to me that no matter how the world views 
     me, I am somebody and I stand on the shoulders of those 
     before me. I can not think of what black history means to me 
     without thinking of the years of slavery my ancestors had to 
     endure. I think of the world we live in, and I don't 
     understand why racism continues to exist today. The 
     achievements of black people compared to the many pitfalls 
     set before us should allow people to see how strong and 
     resilient of a people we are, instead they only continue 
     their attempts to destroy us and what we value and love.
       I wish black history month would mean to everyone what is 
     means to me. Black history month means to me that in times of 
     turmoil I have the strength to rise victorious. Black history 
     month is a time where all can reflect, not on the narrative 
     they want us to believe in, but one that is factual and full 
     of strength, hope and promise. It's one where Mansa Musa was 
     King of the Mali empire in 1312 and is regarded even today as 
     the richest man in the history of the world. Black history 
     month means to me even as an enslaved people, Harriet Tubman 
     led about 13 missions to help many to freedom and shared she 
     could have freed more if they only know they were enslaved. 
     Black history month means to me we must pass the knowledge of 
     the achievements of our ancestors like the establishment of 
     what was known as Black Wall Street. Black wall street was a 
     very prosperous and self-sufficient business district in 
     Oklahoma where black people owned barbershops and stores, 
     schools and even a local newspaper. Black history month means 
     to me that I can help the advancement of the world like Dr. 
     Gladys West who is a mathematician who grew up locally in 
     Sutherland VA and helped with the technology used to create 
     the GPS systems everyone uses today.
       Black history month means to me it is a time where all 
     people should be able to reflect upon the history of African 
     Americans. This is a time where our culture, contributions, 
     music, and arts should be celebrated as a positive influence 
     and reviewed as leaving a positive impact on the entire 
     world. Black history month is a time where we should be able 
     to come together as a people and uplift one another and 
     celebrate the many achievements of our past and the hope and 
     realization of a rich future.

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