Recognizing the Significance of Black History Month

Floor Speech

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- (House of Representatives - February 24, 2009)

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Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

As a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, I'm pleased to stand in full support and consideration of House Resolution 83, which calls for Congress to recognize the significance of Black History Month, which is annually commemorated during the month of February.

House Resolution 83 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Al Green of Texas, on January 23, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on February 11, 2009, by a voice vote.

The measure has strong support and cosponsorship of over 70 Members of Congress. Yet today's floor consideration of the bill gives Members of this body an opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions that African Americans have made to America's growth department and rich history.

As we are aware, February marks the beginning of Black History Month, which was first celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American author and scholar; but it has since become a month-long commemorative celebration as a way of recognizing and highlighting the role that black Americans have played in America since its existence, and the role they continue to play in the country on a daily basis.

From the story of Crispus Attucks, a black man from my home State of Massachusetts, who became the first American casualty of the Revolutionary War during the Boston Massacre, to such powerful individuals as Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Madam C.J. Walker, General Colin Powell, to the thousands of military service men and women who have bravely served our nation, to the Members of our own Congressional Black Caucus and, of course, to our now 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, who will speak to this body this evening.

The contributions that black Americans have made to this great Nation are intricately woven into who we are as a people and as a country. And it is not just the pioneers or the leaders that have made a difference, but importantly, it is the everyday citizen that's serving as a teacher, a mentor, a pastor, a doctor, a first responder, a public servant, or a parent who continues to impact our country's history in such a powerful and positive way.

Across our great land, Black History Month is marked by the offerings of educational and cultural programs, heightened media coverage and special celebrations and events designed to share with the world the strength, the ingenuity, and accomplishments of our fellow American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, as we move to recognize Black History Month and this year's educational theme of ``The quest for black citizenship in the Americas,'' let us all recall the experience and valuable contributions of African Americans to the United States of America. Moreover, let us not forget that black history is truly American history.

And with that, I urge the swift passage of House Resolution 83.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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