[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2104-2105]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                MINNESOTA CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, This month in Minnesota and across the 
country we celebrate ``Black History Month''--a time when our nation 
rightfully recognizes the many and varied achievements of African 
Americans and the positive contributions they have made to American 
society and to our way of life.
  In 1926, Carter Woodson--considered by many to be the ``Father of 
Black History''--created Negro History Week, which became Black History 
Week in the early 1970s. In 1976, February was chosen to be Black 
History Month, because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass 
and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom made heroic contributions to the 
lives of African Americans in this country.
  Today, Americans of all races recognize Black History Month as an 
important way to celebrate the achievements of African-Americans in 
Minnesota and the United States.
  However, today, and throughout our history as we honor this 
commemoration, we must also remember that we have a long way to go to 
ensure full and equal rights, opportunities, and benefits for all 
Americans.
  We must be bolder in our efforts to ensure that all Americans--of 
every race--have the opportunity to share in--and contribute to--our 
economic prosperity. That means a quality education, adequate housing 
and health care for all Americans. And it means that our tax and budget 
policies must spread their benefits across all social and economic 
lines.
  We must renew our commitments to ensure that all American--of every 
race--can fully share in--and contribute to--our economic prosperity. 
That means quality education, housing, and health care for all 
Americans. It means a good job with living wages, so that everyone can 
earn the American dream. And it means our tax and budget policies must 
spread their benefits across all social and economic lines.
  We must increase our efforts to ensure that our justice system is 
color blind when it comes to enacting and enforcing our laws. Racial 
profiling, hate crimes, prejudice, and discrimination must be 
eliminated now and forever.
  Ever since a Minneapolis Mayor named Hubert Humphrey challenged the 
consensus of the Democratic Party on civil rights in 1948, the women 
and men who have lead and shaped my party have made tremendous 
contributions to achieving these national goals. But this work is yet 
unfinished, and it is now, during Black History Month, that all members 
of this new Congress and our new President must rededicate ourselves to 
these causes.
  I voted against confirmation of our new Attorney General, John 
Ashcroft, because I did not think he was adequately committed to 
upholding our nation's long and hard-fought tradition--forged by 
Democrats and Republicans alike--on civil rights. Now that he has been 
confirmed, however, I hope he will demonstrate through his actions that 
he truly is interested in justice for all Americans, regardless of 
race.
  I intend to hold him to the promises he made during his confirmation 
process that he will not repeat his past actions that demonstrated a 
racial insensitivity which not only divided many communities, but also 
the work of this Senate.
  The Bush Administration's recent announcement that it will appoint an 
African American as Attorney General Ashcroft's top deputy is a good 
start to healing some of these rifts, but we must see action.
  Minnesota takes great pride in the African Americans who have made 
our state and our country a better place to live, work, and recreate. 
Their contributions to the arts, business, politics and culture are 
numerous.

[[Page 2105]]

  Starting back in the Civil War, Black Minnesotans were involved in 
important undertakings that contributed to the good of the nation. In 
1860, although there were only 259 residents of African descent in the 
state, 104 Black men served in the Union army. Despite being paid less 
and suffering from racial prejudice, they fought courageously along 
with their white brethren.
  Minnesotans also played important roles in more recent civil rights 
advances. The U.S. Postal Service recently honored St. Paul native Roy 
Wilkins as the 24th American honored in the Black Heritage 
Commemorative Stamp Series. As a leader of the NAACP when this country 
made significant civil rights advances, his legacy is felt today across 
this country.
  Alan Page was first known to most of us as an all-pro Hall of Fame 
lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. However, Alan has often said he 
takes more pride in his subsequent career as a Special Assistant 
Attorney General and an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme 
Court.
  Nellie Stone Johnson has had a long and distinguished record of 
public service in support of the advancement of minority concerns, the 
rights of workers, and equal opportunities for all people. Her life is 
chronicled with a series of ``firsts.'' As a leader of organized labor 
in the 1930s and 1940s, she was the first woman vice president of the 
Minnesota Culinary Council and the first woman vice president of Local 
665 of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union. She was also the first 
African American elected to citywide office in Minneapolis when she won 
a seat on the Library Board in 1945.
  Sharon Sayles-Belton, another of Minnesota's greatest mayors, has for 
almost eight years led initiatives to make our state's largest city a 
better place to live, work, do business and educate our children.
  And Billy McGee, a Public Defender who passed away last year, was a 
tireless champion of civil and human rights in the Twin Cities 
community. Everyone knew that they could call Billy at all hours and be 
assured of his help.
  Minnesota native Dave Winfield and World Series hero Kirby Puckett 
were both voted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame last year. 
Not only are they great athletes, they are greatly respected and 
enormously contributing civic leaders.
  And William Finney is the distinguished Chief of Police of our 
capitol city, St. Paul. He has successfully integrated that police 
force, combatted crime afflicting citizens of all races and 
nationalities, and helped lead the way for racial and social advances 
in his city.
  Those are just a few of the Minnesotans who have and continue to set 
examples for the rest of us. There are many more women and men who are 
giving their very best to improve our state. As we celebrate Black 
History Month, we can all do well to look to their examples of activism 
and excellence. And we can strive to follow their leadership in making 
this country all that it should be for all our citizens.

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