IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 942 

Recognizing the significance of Black History Month. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 28, 2008 

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas (for himself, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. HIGGINS, 

Mr. PERLMUTTER, Mr. SPRATT, Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. REYES, Mr. EDWARDS, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. HONDA, Mr. BECERRA, Ms. 

SCHWARTZ, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. ELLISON, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. 

PAYNE, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. CLAY, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. 

BUTTERFIELD, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. 

VAN HOLLEN, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. MEEK

of Florida, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. 

GINGREY, Mr. WYNN, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. LEE, Mr. 

KENNEDY, Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. 

LAMPSON, Mr. SALAZAR, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. 

GRIJALVA, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. WU, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Ms. LORETTA

SANCHEZ of California, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. BORDALLO, Ms. WATERS, Mr. 

BACHUS, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, and Mr. WATT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 

Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the significance of Black History Month. 

Whereas the first Africans were brought involuntarily to the 

shores of America as early as the 17th century; 

Whereas these Africans in America and their descendents are 

now known as African-Americans; 


smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS
2 

•HRES 942 IH 

Whereas African-Americans suffered involuntary servitude 

and subsequently faced the injustices of lynch mobs, segregation, and denial of basic, fundamental rights; 

Whereas despite involuntary servitude, African-Americans 

have made significant contributions to the economic, educational, political, artistic, literary, religious, scientific, 

and technological advancement of the Americas; 

Whereas in the face of injustices, United States citizens of 

good will and of all races distinguished themselves with 

their commitment to the noble ideals upon which the 

United States was founded and courageously fought for 

the rights and freedom of African-Americans; 

Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived and died to make 

real these noble ideals; 

Whereas the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick 

Douglass inspired the creation of Negro History Week, 

the precursor to Black History Month; 

Whereas Negro History Week represented the culmination of 

Dr. Carter G Woodson’s efforts to enhance knowledge of 

black history started through the Journal of Negro History, published by Woodson’s Association for the Study 

of African-American Life and History; and 

Whereas the month of February is officially celebrated as 

Black History Month, which dates back to 1926, when 

Dr. Carter G. Woodson set aside a special period of time 

in February to recognize the heritage and achievement of 

Black Americans: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the significance of Black History 

3 Month as an important time to recognize the conVerDate Aug 31 2005 01:32 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR942.IH HR942

smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS
3 

•HRES 942 IH 

1 tributions of African-Americans in the Nation’s his2 tory, and encourages the continued celebration of 

3 this month to provide an opportunity for all peoples 

4 of the United States to learn more about the past 

5 and to better understand the experiences that have 

6 shaped the Nation; and 

7 (2) recognizes that the ethnic and racial diver8 sity of the United States enriches and strengthens 

9 the Nation. 

Æ 


smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS