Good
morning. Thank you for coming today. And
thank you to the Color Guard for their
display of patriotism, and to Marc Staggers
for singing our national anthem. My thanks
also to the EEO Office for organizing
today's event.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate
our diversity. It is also a time to reflect
on the accomplishments of African Americans
throughout history, and to look forward
to what diversity will mean to us in the
future.
But we should not limit our celebration,
or our commitment to diversity, only to
the month of February. Remembering and
embracing black history and the history
of the many diverse groups in America
should be a year-long commitment. We must
make that commitment every day, and in
every decision we make. To be successful,
we must build on our diversity.
Black History Month is not just a celebration
for African Americans. It is a celebration
for all Americans, because black history
is also American history – it is
part of our unique history as a nation.
It spans from some of our darkest days
– as in the time of slavery –
to some of our brightest moments –
as when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told
us his dream of what America could be.
Many of us feel a sense of pride being
part of the FBI. We feel that same sense
of pride recalling Dr. King’s dream
for us.
For the FBI, our annual celebration of
Black History Month is part of our ongoing
commitment to diversity. Each one of us
brings different histories, different
heritages, and different perspectives
to the table. These differences reflect
the world we live in. It is that diversity
which enriches our nation, and which will
keep America strong in the future.
For no matter how diverse we are, we are
part of the same team, with the same goal
– to protect America. As a team,
we will work to protect our fellow citizens
from the threat of terrorism. As a team,
we will fight to protect the civil rights
of all Americans. And as a team, we will
foster a strong, dedicated FBI, ready
to handle today’s challenges at
home and abroad.
The strength of our diversity can be seen
when we look at the history of our guest
of honor, William “Ready”
Cash.
When
you look at today’s major league
ball teams, you probably do not notice
that there are players of all races and
ethnic backgrounds. Today we take that
diversity for granted, but it was not
always a level playing field.
Before 1947, African Americans were not
permitted to play in the all-white Major
Leagues. In the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, at
the height of segregation, the National
Negro Baseball League recruited thousands
of African American ball players, who
played to packed stands around the country.
Bill Cash was a catcher for the League
from 1939 until 1955. For 16 years, he
excited fans of the game and paved the
way for people of all races. He is here
to share his part of America’s history
with us, and we are very pleased to have
him. Please welcome Bill Cash.
