1Recognizing the month of February 2013 as "Black History Month"
2in Pennsylvania and urging all Pennsylvanians to be mindful
3of the contributions of African Americans and of all of its
4citizens to our country's rich history throughout the year.

5WHEREAS, In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who worked in
6Kentucky coal mines as a child and was the son of former slaves,
7proposed and launched a week-long celebration of the individuals
8and occasions having a significant impact on African-American
9history in America; and

10WHEREAS, Dr. Woodson chose the month of February to conduct
11this commemoration because the birthdays of Frederick Douglass
12and Abraham Lincoln, two men whose actions have significantly
13affected African Americans in this country, are in February; and

14WHEREAS, Frederick Douglass was a gifted orator, writer and
15statesman who was a tireless advocate of the anti-slavery

1movement; and

2WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation
3and is considered to be one of America's greatest presidents;
4and

5WHEREAS, In 1976, the commemoration was extended from a week-
6long event to the entire month of February; and

7WHEREAS, During the month of February 2013, observances are
8held across the country and this Commonwealth to increase public
9awareness of the importance of black history and the
10contributions that African Americans have made toward their
11country's rich history; and

12WHEREAS, Not only during the month of February 2013, but
13throughout the remainder of the year, it is important that all
14citizens reach out to one another in seeking to understand their
15fellow man in a peaceful and loving way; and

16WHEREAS, The citizens of this Commonwealth should recommit
17themselves to an ideal America where equality and justice will
18always prevail and to the principals of love, wisdom and
19compassion toward one another; and

20WHEREAS, The respect that fellow citizens have for one
21another determines the value of any country; therefore be it

22RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
23month of February 2013 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania
24and urge all Pennsylvanians to be mindful of the contributions
25of African Americans and of all of its citizens to our country's
26rich history throughout the year.