Reps. Love, Geiss, Chang, Garrett, Tedder, Afendoulis, Lucido, Crawford, Price, Bizon, Singh, Neeley, Gay-Dagnogo, Heise, Hovey-Wright, Howrylak, Hughes, Kelly, Lauwers, LaVoy, Maturen, Pagan, Potvin and Schor offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 213.

            A resolution to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Black History Month.           

            Whereas, The month of February stands nationally as Black History Month. This month brings to the collective memory of our nation the accomplishments and contributions made by African Americans; and

            Whereas, We honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History, for first establishing Negro History Week. Dr. Woodson noticed the lack of African American representation in history books and in 1915 established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1916, he and members of the association began publishing the Journal of Negro History. Later called the Journal of African American History, this publication was filled with the achievements and life stories of great African Americans; and

            Whereas, In 1926, Dr. Woodson organized the first annual Negro History Week to take place during the second week of February. This date coincided with the birthdays of both President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas; and

            Whereas, In 1969, a group of students in the Black United Students organization at Kent State University proposed a month long celebration of African American triumphs. In the following year, the students from the organization held its first celebration of Black History Month; and

Whereas, Fifty years later and twenty six years after Dr. Woodson passed away, the informal expansion of Negro History Week was officially recognized as Black History Month by the United States government in 1976. President Gerald Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”; and

Whereas, The state legislature is proud to honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson for first establishing the celebration of African American history. We show gratitude to all the African Americans who have and are continuing to break through barriers on the path to achievement and equality; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Black History Month. We express our gratitude to Dr. Carter G. Woodson and those who helped to establish a month of well-deserved recognition; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body recognize the 40th anniversary of the federal expansion from Negro History Week to Black History Month.