[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND HARRY HOOSIER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2023

  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Black History Month with 
a tribute to an amazing Black man named Harry Hoosier.
  If you're from Indiana, you've likely faced the age-old question:
  ``So, what exactly is a Hoosier?''
  Of course, we've heard theories. Richmond resident John Finley's poem 
``The Hoosier's Nest''--originally spelled ``Hoosher''--is often 
attributed as the first mention of this distinctly Indiana term. The 
word also appears in the ``Carrier's Address'' of the Indiana Democrat 
on January 3, 1832. Yet another theory is that pioneer settlers would 
respond, ``Who's yere?'' to a knock on the door.

[[Page E160]]

  But one of the most interesting theories is one you may not have 
heard: the story of Harry Hoosier.
  Harry Hoosier, sometimes spelled Harry Hosier, was described by 
Booker T. Washington as ``the first Black American Methodist preacher 
in the United States.'' Born enslaved around 1750, Harry Hoosier was 
sold to a plantation near Baltimore, where he became a talented 
religious orator who traveled throughout the Appalachian frontier, 
according to Fisk University Professor William D. Piersen.
  Harry Hoosier's story is one of resilience and success. Despite being 
illiterate, Mr. Hoosier's message was heard far and wide, and he became 
one of the best-known and greatest preachers of his time. According to 
a recent bill in the Indiana Statehouse, ``many of Harry Hoosier's 
followers brought their Methodist beliefs and Hoosier nickname to 
Indiana in the decades before and after Indiana was granted statehood 
in 1816.''
  With his great influence, it is believed that Mr. Hoosier's followers 
became known as Hoosiers, followers who were also part of a growing 
number of Methodists beginning to question the practice of slavery. 
With a Black leader as an example, these 18th Century ``Hoosiers'' may 
have honed the principles we understand as ``Hoosier Hospitality'' 
today--the belief in kindness, equality, and respect.
  Until recently, I had never heard the story of Harry Hoosier, despite 
attending school in Indiana and surrounded by strong, Black leaders and 
family members throughout my lifetime. But Harry Hoosier confirms what 
we already knew: Black history has always been American history, and 
Black history has always been Hoosier history. From oral traditions 
passed down from generation to generation, to the legacy of legends 
like Madam C.J. Walker, Mari Evans, Major Taylor, Wes Montgomery, the 
Jackson 5 and Babyface, Black Hoosiers have always been part of our 
state's story.
  Bringing this story into the light gives us a better understanding of 
the vast, diverse history of our great state. And during Black History 
Month, there is no better time to learn our history and to celebrate 
it.
  While there are many partisan arguments surrounding education--
including recent political stunts falsely claiming that Black studies 
has no educational value--Harry Hoosier's story is slowly making its 
way into our modern consciousness in a bipartisan way. In 2016, the 
Indiana Bicentennial Commission endorsed the ``Harry Hoosier Project,'' 
an effort to share the story of the man who lives on in our 
conversations every day. This year, Indiana State Representative J.D. 
Prescott, a Republican, introduced House Bill 1143 recognizing Harry 
Hoosier as our state's namesake. Unfortunately, this bill did not make 
it to the floor for a vote--but I hope Harry Hoosier's story inspires 
others to begin to unwrap more forgotten or neglected stories.
  History--the way we tell it, the way we analyze it, and the ways we 
pass it on to future generations--is always evolving. Our stories have 
always existed. But these stories need to be shared with everyone, and 
they need to be recognized as a vital part of American history too.
  Harry Hoosier lived centuries ago. We can't speak to him or even know 
as many details about his life as we may want to. But his existence, 
the stories we have of him, are what define our past and shape our 
future.
  Black history is about joy. It's about survival, resilience, and it's 
about success. Above all, it needs to be shared.

                          ____________________