IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 128 

Recognizing Black History Month and the contributions of Harlem to 

American history and culture. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 13, 2019 

Mr. ESPAILLAT submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees 

on the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing Black History Month and the contributions of 

Harlem to American history and culture. 

Whereas the celebration of Black History Month every February is an integral way to recognize and appreciate the 

multitude of progress that has been made in the AfricanAmerican community; 

Whereas during Black History Month, we reflect upon the 

works and teachings of historic figures such as Harriet 

Tubman, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, James Baldwin, 

Madam C.J. Walker, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, and 

Langston Hughes, to the modern day contributions of 

civil rights leaders and icons of the 21st century including the esteemed former President Barack Obama, RevVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:44 Feb 14, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR128.IH HR128

pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 128 IH 

erend Al Sharpton, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Ava 

DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, and many others; 

Whereas Black History Month is celebrated in communities 

around the Nation and especially throughout New York’s 

13th Congressional District with its rich culture of inclusion and diverse heritage, and particularly in Harlem 

neighborhood, which is recognized around the Nation and 

the world for its historic landmarks and legacy of social 

revolution and artistic expression of the African-American community; 

Whereas Harlem, specifically, has made immense contributions to America’s culture and historical foundations due 

to individuals such as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du 

Bois, Duke Ellington, Romare Bearden, Zora Neale 

Hurston, and many more key figures; and 

Whereas Black History Month gives us a platform to recognize the numerous parts of our country that would not 

be present today without the contributions of the AfricanAmerican people in the areas of music, arts and entertainment, education and technology, business and policy, 

and our Nation’s Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes Black History Month and the 

3 contributions of Harlem to American history and 

4 culture; and 

5 (2) recognizes the fact that there is much more 

6 improvement that is yet to be made, and our efforts 

7 must continue to ensure equal representation and di8 versity within our Nation’s workforce, to address the 


pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 128 IH 

1 significant racial disparities within the criminal jus2 tice system, to tackle the absence of equitable re3 sources for health care and treatment, and to create 

4 educational opportunities that lead to achievement 

5 for minority youth, and while we have made signifi6 cant progress as a Nation, much work remains in 

7 our efforts to ensure full representation, equality, 

8 and fairness for all individuals regardless of race. 

Æ 


pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS