PRINTER'S NO. 151
No. 19 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY KITCHEN, TARTAGLIONE, HELFRICK, KUKOVICH, WAGNER,
SCHWARTZ, STOUT, O'PAKE, HUGHES, MOWERY, A. WILLIAMS, STACK,
LAVALLE AND THOMPSON, FEBRUARY 3, 2003
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, FEBRUARY 3, 2003
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of February 2003 as "Black History Month"
2 in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, It is the duty of a society to recognize those
4 individuals within its borders who have contributed greatly to
5 the quality of life therein; and
6 WHEREAS, The contributions of African-American citizens as
7 scientists, inventors, farmers, educators, homemakers and
8 explorers and in countless other professions have greatly
9 benefited this Commonwealth and our nation; and
10 WHEREAS, Multiethnicity and multiculturalism may be
11 encouraged with an increased awareness of the important role
12 that African-Americans have played throughout the history of
13 this Commonwealth and our nation; and
14 WHEREAS, Carter Goodwin Woodson, an African-American
15 historian, recognized these contributions and accomplishments
16 and on February 7, 1926, created a cultural landmark known as
17 "Negro History Week"; and
1 WHEREAS, "Negro History Week" was changed to "Black History
2 Week" during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and then
3 subsequently expanded to "Black History Month" in 1976 as part
4 of the Bicentennial celebration; and
5 WHEREAS, "Black History Month" asks all Americans to
6 commemorate the struggles and victories of African-Americans in
7 our history and their invaluable contributions to society and to
8 the protection and defense of our nation in war and peace;
9 therefore be it
10 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of February
11 2003 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania in recognition of
12 the contributions of the African-American community to our
13 Commonwealth and our nation and encourage all citizens of this
14 Commonwealth to seek increased awareness and understanding of
15 these contributions through historical study.
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