[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2441]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, yesterday marked the end of Black History 
Month, which we honored here in the Senate by adopting a resolution 
sponsored by the junior Senator from New York, Mrs. Gillibrand.
  The father of Black History Month was Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Now, I 
really didn't know who Carter Woodson was, but there was a wonderful 
piece on public radio yesterday that outlined in detail this man, who 
had been a garbage man, who did menial labor, and I just didn't realize 
how smart he was. His personal story is remarkable.
  Carter Woodson was born in Virginia to former slaves. He attended the 
University of Chicago--not an easy school to get into, certainly in the 
early part of the last century, when you are an African American. He 
then went on to receive his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1912, making him the 
second African-American man to do so.
  As a professor at Howard University here in Washington, DC, Dr. 
Woodson decided there was a need for Americans--Black and White--to 
better understand African-American history. In 1926, Dr. Woodson 
organized the first week devoted entirely to African-American history. 
He coordinated lectures, panels, and hosted children's plays that 
celebrated the lives of important figures in Black history.
  He had a tough time. They couldn't find places to meet. They wouldn't 
allow Blacks in many meeting halls. But he found rooms at the YMCA, 
churches, and Black fraternity houses to meet and to celebrate African-
American history. He was relentless. Over the years, the celebration of 
Black history grew and grew until President Ford decided to make it not 
a history week but a history month. He did that in 1976. So February is 
always recognized--since President Ford did that in 1976--as Black 
History Month.
  In addition to adopting this resolution to honor Black History Month, 
I hope my colleagues will take a moment to think about this great man, 
Dr. Woodson, who did so much to help Americans embrace Black history 
and the many contributions of African-American leaders, such as 
Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois, and many others.
  But we must do more than just adopt a simple resolution honoring 
Black History Month. We should work together to address the issues 
faced by Black Americans and all Americans today and every month of the 
year. It is the right thing to do.
  Mr. President, I see my friends on the floor. Would the Chair 
announce the business of the day.

                          ____________________