[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2197-2198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, a short time ago Congress debated 
legislation to make the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a 
national holiday. The floor leader for that legislation was a fellow 
name Bob Dole. And during the final debate, I had the privilege of 
sitting in the gallery with Coretta Scott King, as we heard Bob deliver 
these words:

       A nation defines itself in many ways; in the promises it 
     makes and the programs it enacts, the dreams it enshrines, or 
     the doors it slams shut. Thanks to Dr. King, America wrote 
     new laws to strike down old barriers. She built bridges 
     instead of walls . . . there is nothing partisan about 
     justice. It is conservative as the Constitution, as liberal 
     as Lincoln, as radical as Jefferson's sweeping assertion that 
     all of God's creation is equal in His eyes.

  I could not agree more.
  I am very proud of the rich and vibrant African American Heritage in 
my home state of North Carolina. Indeed, Mr. President, our history is 
full of trailblazers, including, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, Ezell 
Blair, Jr., and David Richmond, known as the Greensboro Four because of 
their February 1960 sit-in at a Woolworth Store counter in Greensboro, 
North Carolina. They, along with others, laid the foundation for the 
America we strive to be, where all people are given an opportunity 
regardless of the color of their skin.

[[Page 2198]]

  We have come a long way since then. Today, African Americans and 
minorities serve in every aspect of business, politics, and the legal 
profession. They're represented in judgeships throughout the country. 
John Wesley Winters, Sr., who died just a few weeks ago at the age of 
84, was the first black Raleigh, NC, City Council member and one of the 
first black state senators of the 20th century. He was known as a 
bridge-builder between the races. And in 1992, my good friend Eva 
Clayton became the first African American woman to represent North 
Carolina in Congress. And just last year, Mr. President, I was 
privileged to support Allyson Duncan, confirmed as the first African 
American woman to serve on the 4th Circuit Court.
  Higher education is another area where strides have been made. North 
Carolina is home to 11 historically black colleges and universities, 
including Shaw University in Raleigh, founded in 1865 and the oldest 
H.B.C.U. in the South. And I was honored to give the commencement 
address and receive an honorary degree several years ago from 
Livingstone College, another outstanding historically black college in 
my hometown of Salisbury, NC, where Dr. Algeania Freeman currently 
serves as the first woman president. And I am so very proud that my 
husband Bob is serving as chairman of a $50 million dollar fundraising 
campaign at Bennett College in Greensboro, one of only two historically 
black women's colleges in America. In fact, Bennett's president, Dr. 
Johnetta Cole, currently serves as national chair of the United Way, 
and in that capacity has worked with Hillary Clinton and me on 
legislation to create a nationwide 2-1-1 line, a one-stop community 
service referral system.
  This month we honor the steadfast commitment of so many people, many 
of whom gave their lives so that African Americans could have the same 
opportunities as any other citizen in our Nation.
  Today, as the Nation continues to celebrate Black History Month, I 
salute this heritage and the fine citizens who have contributed to 
North Carolina's greatness. May we continue their work on behalf of all 
Americans.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Fitzgerald). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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