Saturday January 03, 2009
Honoring Black History Month
Submitted to the Congressional Record- February 1, 2007
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I join millions of people across our Nation to commemorate Black History Month .
Black History Month is a time to honor those heroes of the past and present who have played pivotal roles in African American history . During this month , we celebrate the lives of these extraordinary individuals and pay tribute to their many sacrifices and great accomplishments in strengthening the diverse cultural history we have in America. We are especially reminded during this month to renew our commitment to ensuring equality and justice for all Americans.
Black History Month was originally established as Negro History Week, later known as Black History Week, in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a son of former slaves who became the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Woodson chose the second week in February in remembrance of the birthdays of two prominent individuals in the history of African Americans--President Abraham Lincoln, who promulgated the Emancipation Proclamation, and Frederick Douglass, one of the most renowned black abolitionists. In 1976, Black History Week was officially expanded to a month -long celebration--Black History Month , or African-American History Month .
Since 1926, the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, ASALH, has established the national theme for Black History Month . This year's theme is ``From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas.'' Long after slavery was abolished, people of African descent struggled for the basic rights afforded American citizens. This year's theme brings to light this quest for equality and freedom during the age of emancipation, when Africans throughout the Americas were emerging from the bonds of slavery to take their rightful place in society. The path was not an easy one--independence and liberty remained elusive for many. Yet through the work of visible leaders and heroes and those individuals who quietly persevered, we see great achievements in the African-American experience--triumph that went hand in hand with some of the greatest struggles and most severe obstacles.
In Idaho, many individuals have continued Woodson's vision to educate and inform our communities about the great contributions of African Americans. For over 85 years, Idaho's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP--comprised of some of Idaho's finest citizens and humanitarians--has served as a leader for promoting cultural diversity and awareness in our state.
I also commend the work at the Idaho Black History Museum. Established in 1995, this museum is the only one of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Through its exhibits and community outreach programs such as lectures, workshops, literacy courses, and musical performances, the Idaho Black History Museum successfully fosters a deeper understanding of cultural diversity in the State of Idaho.
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