[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 6097-6100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 198) recognizing the significance of 
Black History Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 198

       Whereas the first African Americans were brought forcibly 
     to the shores of America as early as the 17th century;
       Whereas African Americans were enslaved in the United 
     States and subsequently faced the injustices of lynch mobs, 
     segregation, and denial of basic, fundamental rights;
       Whereas despite this enslavement, early Black Americans 
     made significant contributions to the economic, educational, 
     political, artistic, literary, religious, scientific, and 
     technological advancement of the United States;
       Whereas in the face of these injustices, United States 
     citizens of all races distinguished themselves in their 
     commitment to ideals of which the United States was founded 
     and fought for the rights and freedom of African Americans;
       Whereas the United States was conceived, as stated in the 
     Declaration of Independence, as a new country dedicated to 
     the proposition that ``all Men are created equal, that they 
     are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, 
     that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of 
     Happiness'';
       Whereas since its founding, the United States has been an 
     imperfect work in making progress towards those noble goals;
       Whereas the history of the United States is the story of a 
     people regularly affirming high ideals, striving to reach 
     them but often failing, and then struggling to come to terms 
     with the disappointment of that failure before committing 
     themselves to trying again; and
       Whereas the month of February is officially celebrated as 
     Black History Month, which dates back to 1926, when Dr. 
     Carter G. Woodson set aside a special period of time in 
     February to recognize the heritage and achievement of Black 
     Americans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the significance of Black History Month as 
     an important time to recognize the contributions of Black 
     Americans in the Nation's history, and encourages the 
     continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity 
     for all people of the United States to learn more about the 
     past and to better understand the experiences that have 
     shaped the Nation; and
       (2) affirms that--
       (A) the contributions of Black Americans are a significant 
     part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United 
     States; and
       (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States 
     enriches and strengthens the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, every February Americans celebrate African American 
Black

[[Page 6098]]

History Month. This tribute dates back to 1926, and it is credited to a 
Harvard scholar, Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson, the son of former 
slaves, dedicated his life to ensuring that black history was 
accurately documented and disseminated.
  In an effort to bring national attention to the contributions of 
African Americans, Dr. Woodson organized the first annual Negro History 
Week in 1926. He selected the second week of February, during which 
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had celebrated their birthdays.
  Later, Woodson's contributions helped emerge during the civil rights 
campaign of the 1950s and 1960s, where the black studies movement began 
to spawn African American history, theory courses, programs and 
departments on the Nation's college and university campuses. During the 
early 1970s, Negro History Week was renamed Black History Week; and in 
1976, it officially became Black History Month, designating all of 
February for the recognition of African American history.
  In 1926, during the time for the first organized tribute to black 
history, the sociopolitical landscape in this country for African 
Americans was demonstrably different than it is today. At that time, 
``separate but equal,'' a doctrine that afforded African Americans 
second-class citizenship, was the law of the land, although it was an 
immoral one.
  Through many historic efforts of many Americans of all races, 
legalized discrimination became a thing of the past. This body passed 
landmark legislation, most notably the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 
Voting Rights Act of 1965. This was just 43 and 42 years ago when 
President Lyndon Johnson signed these legislative measures into law, 
laws that prevented Jim Crow laws from subjugating and denying African 
Americans the right to vote in certain southern States, the imposition 
of poll taxes, the segregation of schools, housing, bus and train 
transportation, restrooms and other public accommodations.

                              {time}  1515

  Moreover, Black History Month is also promoting public awareness of 
the struggles and achievements of African Americans. We must continue 
to build on the existence of the past and look forward to the future.
  African Americans, over the years, have made great strides, but, yet, 
we still have a long way to go. For instance, in 2005, there were 37 
million poor people in America. The poverty rate is about 24.9 percent 
for blacks, compared to 8.3 percent for whites.
  The homeownership rate among white households is about 74.2 percent, 
compared to 47.1 percent for African Americans. This huge gap between 
white and black homeowners will continue to be a primary factor that 
will undermine the growth of African Americans and their family 
structure to obtain wealth, capital assets and better neighborhoods.
  While 5 percent of the world's population lives in the United States, 
we have 25 percent of the world's prison population in United States 
jails and prisons. Nationally, the Bureau of Justice statistics reports 
that the United States incarcerates 2 million people. Whites are about 
36 percent, compared to 46 percent for blacks in prison.
  As some of us know, the majority of people in prison are attributed 
to drug convictions. The law is not equally applied when it comes to 
drug offenses involving crack and powder cocaine. Five grams of crack 
cocaine brings a mandatory sentence of 5 years, compared to 5 grams of 
powder cocaine, which has no sentencing requirements, and the possessor 
of powder may get probation. Of course, a disproportionate number of 
the individuals who use crack cocaine are African Americans.
  These are just a few barriers that many African Americans confront 
every day. And so when we honor Black History Month, we are recognizing 
the struggles and achievements of African Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that Representative Al Green, who is the sponsor 
of this legislation, had intended to be here today to speak on it. 
Unfortunately, he had to be away in Texas taking care of some 
activities in his district, and I would ask that he be allowed to 
submit his statement for the Record.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 198, and urge all of my colleagues to 
vote for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I am honored to speak today in support of H. Res. 198, recognizing 
the significance of Black History Month.
  Each February we express our appreciation of the struggles, 
determination and perseverance of the African American community of the 
past and present. February is a time to recognize the contributions of 
black Americans that have enriched our culture and our heritage.
  There have been great activists, politicians, artists, writers, 
poets, scientists, economists, athletes, entertainers and musicians 
that have all bettered our way of life. These achievements, the 
achievements of so many, have encouraged today's youth to strive for a 
more equal and free country.
  It is impossible to celebrate Black History Month without mentioning 
such noted leaders as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther 
King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. These achievers, and others, have helped make 
this country what it is today.
  Today's popular culture is replete with African American icons, 
through sports, music and the entertainment industry, icons such as 
Richard Pryor, Halle Berry, Tiger Woods, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, 
Muhammad Ali, and Hank Aaron.
  The music industry alone has influenced our culture for decades, 
Louis Armstrong, Dorothy Dandridge, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., 
and Georgia's own Ray Charles, each of whom overcame adversity before 
and during the civil rights movement just to play their music.
  When Harvard scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson had the idea to create a 
week-long celebration of black history back in 1926, his goal was, and 
I quote, ``to make the world see the Negro as a participant rather than 
as a lay figure in history.'' Over time, it has become the month-long 
celebration and commemoration that it is today. It is with great 
pleasure that I speak today in support of H. Res. 198.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) for his statement. And I also want to 
thank him for the opportunity to work with him today during this 
process. It has indeed been a pleasure.
  I also want to commend Representative Green from Texas for his 
introduction of this legislation.
  In closing, let me also indicate that it is important that we look at 
the contributions that all racial ethnic groups have made to the 
development of this great country that we call the United States of 
America.
  There is no group who didn't come here looking for something 
different than what they had. And fortunately, for many of them, they 
have been able to find that America is, indeed, a country where every 
person can have the opportunity to grow and develop to be a part of.
  I have been pleasured, I guess, to represent many high profile 
individuals, African Americans like Oprah Winfrey, who is in my 
congressional district, like Michael Jordan, who played basketball out 
at the stadium in my district.
  But I often tell young people that I grew up in an environment where 
we were taught to read by unlocking words. And to us, history sort of 
meant, at that time, his story. And so I encourage them to think of 
what I call mystery, which becomes my story. And so each one of us have 
an opportunity to contribute to the further development of this great 
Nation.
  I commend the gentleman for introducing H. Res. 198. I urge its 
passage.

[[Page 6099]]


  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong support of Congressman Al Green's Resolution to honor Black 
History Month.
  Founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month serves as a 
time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African-Americans 
in shaping our Nation. It brings to life a rich and vibrant history 
that was all too often untold.
  The fact is that until there was a Black History Month, prominent 
African-Americans were virtually left out of our Nation's school books. 
Often, the only mention of African-Americans would reference the 
institution of slavery. This is simply unacceptable. Black history is 
not an anonymous footnote, and expands well beyond the institution of 
slavery. We have great leaders who fought to overcome the oppression of 
slavery and that of Jim Crow. We have great scientific minds and 
inventors. We have extraordinary novelists, poets, and musicians. These 
are not nameless, faceless individuals, but people who have helped 
shape our Nation.
  Because of Black History Month we have expanded our schoolchildren's 
curriculum. Our children now learn about Frederick Douglas, Thurgood 
Marshall, Malcolm X and Toni Morrison. These are names and stories that 
our children otherwise may not have known. With Black History Month we 
are preserving our abundant history for future generations.
  I commend Congressman Green for bringing this important Resolution to 
the floor and I strongly urge my colleagues' support.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 198, a 
resolution I authored recognizing the significance of Black History 
Month. This piece of legislation is supported by conservatives, 
moderates and liberals. It is a piece of legislation that I received 
not one negative comment on. Every person that I requested agreed to 
support the legislation. So I thank those who supported it.
  I am delighted that 80 Members of Congress joined me in cosponsoring 
this bipartisan resolution which serves as a testament to our united 
desire to inform all Americans about the contributions made by persons 
of diverse backgrounds to the development of our great country.
  Black History Month is a time of the year when all Americans of every 
race and ethnicity are given the opportunity to study the untold 
history of African-Americans and their contributions to American and 
world civilization. Additionally, Black history is American history and 
it is essential that we recognize the great contributions of all 
Americans by commemorating this month long celebration.
  My resolution:
  Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important 
time to recognize the contributions of Black Americans in the nation's 
history;
  Encourages the continued celebration of this month to provide an 
opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about the 
past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the 
nation;
  Affirms that the contributions of Black Americans are a significant 
part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and 
the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and 
strengthens the nation.
  Black History Month is also a special time to honor pioneers such as 
Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, W.E.B. 
DuBois, and many others who fought for the complete freedom and full 
emancipation of African-Americans. That is why we use Black History 
Month and every month to honor their wonderful contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues support H. Res. 198, a resolution 
recognizing the significance of Black History Month.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to show my support for the 
principles of Black History Month. I was privileged to be a part of the 
recent Congressional trip to Selma, Alabama. While in that historic 
city, we joined together and walked in the footsteps of the brave 
individuals who fought to ensure that the rights and opportunities of 
our Nation would be available to all of its people.
  The Civil Rights Movement was not the first call for freedom and 
equality in our Nation's history, and it will not be the last. But its 
success provided a blueprint for future generations to follow, an 
example of hope to all those who seek to secure the basic freedoms 
guaranteed by our Constitution.
  The history of African Americans extends far beyond the Civil Rights 
Movement. The works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and 
Thurgood Marshall will resonate in American society for generations to 
come. There are so many African Americans who have made notable 
contributions to our Nation. For example, Benjamin Banneker blazed new 
trails in astronomy, accurately predicting solar and lunar eclipses and 
Dr. Charles Richard Drew developed techniques in blood storage and 
helped to develop the blood banks which have saved countless military 
and civilian lives over the years. And there are many others, in fields 
too numerous to name. What is important is that we take time to honor, 
to remember, and to revere all of these individuals.
  Black History month gives all Americans an opportunity to recognize 
and continue to learn about African-American history, which is the 
history of our Nation. I am proud to do my part to help promote the 
contributions that African Americans have made to our country.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 198, a 
resolution recognizing the significance of Black History Month. I am an 
original cosponsor of this important legislation.
  Celebrated during the month of February, Black History Month allows 
all Americans to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans, 
the famous and the not so famous, who have made strides in all walks of 
life.
  I would like to share with you the words of one of the most noted 
African Americans in history--civil rights leader, Pan-African 
sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor poet, and scholar, W. 
E. B. Dubois, who said:
  ``The shadow of a mighty Negro past flits through the tale of 
Ethiopia the shadowy and of the Egypt the Sphinx. Throughout history, 
the powers of single blacks flash here and there like falling stars, 
and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their 
brightness.''
  This is time to celebrate the trials, tribulations, accomplishments 
and contributions of African Americans, who have certainly created and 
attained so much in this nation's young history.
  As many of my colleagues know, many of our ancestors were brought 
here in the grips of iron chains on slave ships. Despite this 
demoralizing beginning, African Americans created a noble culture that 
encompasses the American spirit of survival through adversity.
  I would like to share a few stories of my past, of why it is so 
important that we continue to celebrate Black History Month and 
continue to reflect on our country's struggle with the equality of all 
people.
  More than 60 years ago, my parents, Robert and Ruth Cummings, grew up 
in rural South Carolina--near a small Clarendon County town called 
Manning. Some here may recall that Clarendon County would later have 
the dubious distinction of having its segregated mis-education of Black 
children successfully overturned in one of the Supreme Court's five 
Brown v. Board of Education school desegregation cases: Briggs v. 
Elliot.
  I will never forget the painful lesson that my father taught us 
children about our Grandfather's death in Clarendon County.
  When my father was a child in South Carolina, his father was taken 
back to their home after collapsing in church.
  Granddad lay close to death as two white doctors arrived to examine 
him--an older doctor and his younger assistant.
  Later on that moonless night, they emerged from the house onto the 
front porch.
  They did not notice that my father was sitting over in the corner, 
alone in the dark.
  ``We should take this man to the hospital in town,'' the younger 
doctor pleaded. ``It's not worth the effort,'' the older doctor 
replied. ``He's just a N-*-g-g-*-r.''
  My grandfather died on that dark, South Carolina night. As a result, 
I never had a chance to meet the man whose blood flows through my 
veins.
  I never sat on his knee. He never took me fishing. I never learned 
about the struggles and joys of this strong and good man.
  This, I think, is why I became convinced at an early age that we all 
must work together to create an America in which no life is considered 
to be without value.
  For Americans of Color, the implications of this personal tragedy are 
clear.
  Unable to depend upon the larger society to value our humanity, 
African American families have learned that we must create our own 
doctors and nurses.
  We founded first-rate medical schools like those at Howard University 
College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Charles R. Drew 
University of Medicine and Science and Morehouse School of Medicine.
  We have sent our children to study at world-class nursing schools 
like the ones in my District at the University of Maryland at Baltimore 
and Coppin State University.
  And, in response, brilliant African American men and women have 
followed their calling to become our healers.
  Some became famous--like Dr. Ben Carson at Johns Hopkins University.
  Yet, despite all of these efforts, the American medical establishment 
has confirmed that

[[Page 6100]]

``unequal treatment'' all too often remains the rule, not the 
exception, in the medical care that Americans of color receive today.
  In fact, African Americans receive inferior medical care--compared to 
the majority population--even when our incomes and insurance plans are 
the same. These disparities contribute to our higher death rates from 
heart disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-endangering 
conditions.
  Consider this: The December 2004 issue of the American Journal of 
Public Health contained important findings by a research team headed by 
President Clinton's Surgeon 
General, Dr. David Satcher, and Professor Stephen Woolfe of Virginia 
Commonwealth University.
  The Satcher-Woolfe team examined data for the period of the Clinton 
years that they had gleaned from the National Center for Health 
Statistics.
  During the 1990s, they found that more than 886,000 deaths could have 
been prevented if African Americans had received the same health care 
as White Americans.
  My friends, when we consider our national health policy, we also are 
considering our national morality.
  We must face the harsh truth: Being Black in America continues to be 
a medically dangerous condition. And being both Black and poor can be 
deadly.
  But the crisis is spreading. Today more than 46 million Americans of 
every racial background are uninsured.
  And, as a direct result, far too many Americans of every race and 
creed are dying before their time.
  More often than not, health care issues are directly related to the 
broader challenge of providing access to economic opportunity. Again, 
the story of my own parents illustrates this point.
  My parents moved to South Baltimore in 1945.
  They knew that they had to leave South Carolina if their children 
were to have a better life.
  Life in Baltimore was difficult for my family. During my earliest 
years in South Baltimore, all that they could afford for themselves and 
their seven children was a small, rented, three-room house.
  Yet, it was there in South Baltimore that my life was changed.
  It happened at a neighborhood swimming pool, which at that time was 
segregated.
  We were just children looking for a way to escape the summer heat of 
South Baltimore's concrete and asphalt streets.
  In those days, South Baltimore's white children swam and relaxed in 
the Olympic-sized Riverside Pool that the City maintained not far from 
where I lived.
  Black children were barred from Riverside by the cruelty of 
segregation.
  We were consigned by the color of our skin to an aging wading pool at 
Sharp and Hamburg Streets. That wading pool was so small that we had to 
take turns to be able to sit in the cool water.
  Upset about our exclusion from our neighborhood's public pool, we 
complained.
  To their everlasting credit, Captain Jim Smith, Juanita Jackson 
Mitchell, and the NAACP organized a march.
  Other people soon joined in this struggle.
  I would like to be able to tell you that the White families at 
Riverside accepted us graciously. Sadly, that is not what happened.
  As we tried to gain entrance to the pool each day for over a week, we 
were spit upon, threatened and called everything but children of God.
  I still carry a scar that I received from a bottle thrown at me 
during the march. We were afraid. And our parents became concerned for 
our safety.
  Then, when all seemed lost, we saw Juanita Jackson Mitchell marching 
up the street toward our little group. With her were two reluctant, but 
grimly determined, policemen. They seemed more afraid of Ms. Mitchell's 
anger than of the jeering, hostile crowd.
  Four decades later, the history books say that the Riverside pool was 
peaceably integrated. We know the truth.
  My friends, the struggle to integrate that public swimming pool at 
Riverside may not have been a large thing in the eyes of the world.
  It was not Little Rock--not Selma, Birmingham nor St. Augustine.
  But Riverside has a LARGE meaning for me.
  At Riverside, I learned that there are dividing lines in every human 
lifelines that separate hatred from love.
  And I learned that we all will face a time when we must choose on 
which side of these lines we will take a stand.
  That choice is the same no matter who is the victim of prejudice, 
exclusion and hatred.
  We face that same choice today as we open up America to people from 
every continent, language, religion and race.
  And how we handle this choice will determine the future of 
generations yet unborn.
  Black History Month means so much to so many people and I want to 
thank Congressman Al Green for his leadership in introducing H. Res.198 
to recognize this fact. I strongly urge all my colleagues to support 
it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 198.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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