[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, to commemorate February 2011 as Black 
History Month, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of African 
Americans to the cultural, technological, and social evolution of our 
Nation and American democracy.
  Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and 
History sponsors Black History Month in February because two great men 
of historical significance were born in this month: Abraham Lincoln, 
the 16th President of the United States, and Frederick Douglass, a 
noted Black social reformer and abolitionist. Their actions greatly 
forwarded the cause of equality for all African Americans.
  Given the association has chosen ``African Americans and the Civil 
War'' as their 2011 theme, it seems fitting to briefly contemplate 
initiatives of these two reformers who are from that era.
  President Lincoln is forever linked to the momentous Emancipation 
Proclamation in 1863 which 3.1 million slaves living in States that 
were in rebellion against the Union were declared ``forever free'' and 
also allowed to join the military. The year before, Mr. Lincoln abetted 
the cause of freedom by forbidding Army officers from returning 
fugitive slaves and signed a law declaring the Federal Government would 
compensate slave owners who freed their slaves.
  Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and became a leader of the 
abolitionist movement. He was a great orator and writer and after the 
war he was involved in Reconstruction efforts. His energies were 
devoted to helping America truly become a place where all citizens 
enjoyed liberty. Mr. Douglass once said, ``I would unite with anybody 
to do right and with nobody to do wrong.''
  In observing Black History month, it would be impossible to author an 
exhaustive list of all influential African Americans. Yet one such 
individual in recent history stands out: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 
January, we celebrated his achievement of peaceful protest in 
furthering civil rights for minorities. Dr. King's accomplishments 
represent but a fraction of the positive impact African Americans have 
had on our society.
  I also note the United Nations has proclaimed 2011 the International 
Year for People of African Descent. Their resolution calls for 
worldwide cooperation to further their full enjoyment of economic, 
cultural, social, civil and political rights, participation in 
political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society and 
promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse 
heritage and culture.
  I agree with these sentiments and urge Americans to continue to 
fulfill the potential of promise that our Nation offers everyone.

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