Washington, DC - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.Res.942, a resolution recognizing the significance of Black History Month. The resolution was introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX-09) on January 28, 2008 and was passed this evening without opposition by a vote of 367 to 0.  H.Res.942 passed with 57 bi-partisan co-sponsors and garnered support from Members of Congress that transcended racial, gender, ethnic, and party lines.  In March 2007, Congressman Green introduced and passed a similar resolution, H. Res.198, recognizing the significance of Black History Month.

“Black History Month is a time when all Americans of every race and ethnicity are given the opportunity to study the once untold and still ‘under-told’ story of African Americans and their contributions to American and world civilization. Black history is American history and it is essential that we recognize the great contributions of all Americans by commemorating this month-long celebration,” Congressman Green stated.

Black History Month was originally established as Negro History Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an African American author and scholar. Dr. Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 and worked tirelessly to highlight the contribution of African Americans to our nation’s history. Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States in the month of February.

“Since its founding, the United States has been a work in progress with the noble ideals of a more perfect union, all persons being created equal, and a government of the people, by the people and for the people.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and pioneers such as Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. DuBois and many others lived and died to make real these noble ideas. That is why we use this month and every month to honor their distinguished contributions. I am delighted that this resolution recognizing the significance of Black History Month has received such strong support from my colleagues in the United States Congress.”