[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, It is with great respect and sincere 
admiration that I rise to celebrate Black History Month and its 2009 
theme--The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas. Throughout its 
history, the struggle for racial equality has been and continues to be 
one of the greatest testaments of America's progress.
  The theme for this year's Black History Month, The Quest for Black 
Citizenship in the Americas, is a reminder that in striving for a 
greater society, we must examine the past. No group has contributed 
more to reflecting on the past in order to create a better future than 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 
As the NAACP celebrates a remarkable milestone, its 100th anniversary, 
we take this time to remember the outstanding contributions of so many 
proud and courageous individuals: black, white, men, women, young and 
old. These men and women have given hope in the bleakest of times and 
allowed us, as a society, to make strides toward equality once 
considered impossible.
  Recognizing that emancipation was only the beginning of the fight for 
true equality, the NAACP was founded with the ideals of creating and 
preserving equal citizenship for all men and women throughout America. 
Knowing that there is still work to be done, it is the vision of the 
NAACP that, one day, all individuals will have equal rights and the 
United States will see an end to racial hatred and discrimination. As 
the first page of the NAACP Constitution indicates, the principal goals 
of the organization are: to ensure political, educational, social, and 
economic equality, to eliminate racial prejudice in America, to remove 
racial barriers through the democratic process, to secure civil rights, 
to inform the public and seek the elimination of racial discrimination, 
and to educate individuals about their constitutional rights.
  In the First Congressional District, I am proud to serve as the 
representative for three branches of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People. At this time, I would like to pay 
special tribute to these three groups, which have played such a 
critical role, locally, in the fight for racial equality and in 
improving Northwest Indiana for all residents. These three outstanding 
representatives of the First Congressional District include the East 
Chicago Branch, led by President Philip Hinton, the Gary Branch, led by 
President Karen Pulliam, and the Hammond Branch, led by President Mary 
Aaron.
  It is the efforts of organizations like these that allow us to 
reflect on what makes the United States of America so special. Nowhere 
else in the world do you find such an integrated society. While the 
United States is made up of people from so many different racial, 
religious, social, and ideological backgrounds, it is the efforts of 
the many brave citizens who have fought and continue to struggle for 
equality that have made America what it is.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in remembering the many brave men and women who have led the struggle 
for equality among all Americans, and I ask that you join me in 
honoring the work and tireless dedication of the members of 
organizations, such as the NAACP, who continue their selfless work 
today. Through the efforts of these honorable individuals and 
organizations, we are reminded of how far we have come as a nation, 
while realizing that there is still progress to be made.

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