MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Jordan, Simmons, Walls, Dawkins, Williamson, Harden, Thomas, Butler, Jackson (32nd), Fillingane, Frazier, Horhn, Little
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY AS NATIONAL "BLACK HISTORY MONTH."
WHEREAS, February may be the shortest month of the year, but its days are packed with important anniversaries and remembrances, particularly for African-Americans from the birthday of Frederick Douglass on February 14, 1817, to Malcolm X's assassination on February 21, 1965, and Nelson Mandela's release from prison on February 11, 1990; and
WHEREAS, within those four short weeks are the anniversaries of the Montgomery bus boycott arrests (February 22, 1956), the ratification of the 15th Amendment guaranteeing that race would not prevent a man from voting (February 3, 1870), the Greensboro, North Carolina, Woolworth lunch counter sit-in (February 1, 1960), Abraham Lincoln's approval of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery (February 1, 1865) and opera star Marian Anderson's birthday (February 27, 1897); and
WHEREAS, celebrations of African-American heritage and achievement began in 1926, launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson and others. The original week-long observance became a month in 1976, a time to mark the considerable contributions of African-Americans to the fabric of the United States; and
WHEREAS, African-American Firsts in Government include: the first African-American U.S. Senator, Hiram Revels, was from Mississippi serving from February 25, 1870, to March 4, 1971, during Reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, African-American culture is both part of and distinct from American culture. From their earliest presence in North America African-Americans have contributed literature, art, agricultural skills, foods, clothing styles, music, and language to American culture; and
WHEREAS, we join all residents of the State of Mississippi in recognizing this important celebration of African-American heritage and achievement in America and in the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize February as National "Black History Month" and encourage all schools and communities in the State of Mississippi to participate in Black History Month events.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.