Congressional Black Caucus
"The Conscience of Congress since 1969"
www.congressionalblackcaucus.net

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Melvin L. Watt (D-NC), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), released the following statement on behalf of the members of the CBC in honor of Black History Month:

“We owe the celebration of Black History Month to the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who, out of a sense of exasperation because he failed to find Black history in any of our history books in 1926, launched an initiative to bring the nation’s attention to the contributions of Black people throughout the history of the United States.

“Initially, Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February to celebrate Black history because it marked the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced Black people in this country, Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.  One week, of course, could not contain all the contributions of Black people and, what started as a week, ultimately got expanded to a month. 

“The theme for this year’s African American History Month is “Celebrating Community:  A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions,” and is dedicated to exploring the impact that these civic organizations have had on the evolution of African American life and history. 

“Black History Month is, first and foremost, about Black history.  It’s a time to celebrate our Black heroes - Mary McLoud Bethune, Harriet Tubman, Paul Robeson, Frederick Douglas, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Jackie Robinson, Frederick Douglas, Madame C. J. Walker, Malcolm X, George Washington Carver, Adam Clayton Powell, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, just to name a few.  And it is a time to celebrate the institutions, fraternal, social, civic, religious and otherwise, that have been so vital in our progress.

“But, Black History Month is also our annual opportunity to reflect on things that we would just as soon forget - slavery, bigotry, segregation, inequality - and a time for us to pledge not to let them happen again.  Above all else, this reflection on our past should ensure that we never, ever forget the people who endured slavery and who sacrificed so much for us. 

“Finally, Black History Month is about the future - a time to assess and acknowledge that there is no place for complacency and no time to rest.  For that reason, the Congressional Black Caucus continues to focus its Agenda and efforts on closing and eliminating disparities that exist in every aspect of our lives. 

“The members of the Congressional Black Caucus reaffirm our belief that, while February is Black History Month, all people should commit to celebrating African American history and heritage and to uplifting the lives of people of the African Diaspora every day.”
 

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