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. ED-
WARDS, 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. JEF-
FERSON, 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 fol-
lowing 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; 
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•HRES 942 IH 
Whereas African-Americans suffered involuntary servitude 
and subsequently faced the injustices of lynch mobs, seg-
regation, and denial of basic, fundamental rights; 
Whereas despite involuntary servitude, African-Americans 
have made significant contributions to the economic, edu-
cational, 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 His-
tory, 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the significance of Black History 
Month as an important time to recognize the con-
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•HRES 942 IH 
tributions of African-Americans in the Nation’s his-
tory, and encourages the continued celebration of 
this month to provide an opportunity for all peoples 
of the United States to learn more about the past 
and to better understand the experiences that have 
shaped the Nation; and 
(2) recognizes that the ethnic and racial diver-
sity of the United States enriches and strengthens 
the Nation. 
Æ 
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