Statement of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl on Black History Month

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the observance of Black History Month.

Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson launched "Negro History Week" in 1926 to counter widespread ignorance and distortion about the history of African Americans in the United States. In 1976, the week was expanded to a month and renamed "Black History Month." February was chosen because many key dates in black history occur in that month: the birthdays of Fredrick Douglass, W.E.B. Dubouis, Langston Hughes, and Abraham Lincoln; the founding of the NAACP; the swearing in of the first African American Senator, the Honorable Hiram Revels; and passage of the 15th amendment to the Constitution proclaiming the right of U.S. citizens to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

African-Americans are responsible for rich contributions to the State of Wisconsin as well as the entire Nation. I would like to encourage all Wisconsin residents to honor Black History Month by utilizing local resources such as America's Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, and the Milwaukee Art Museum. In addition, numerous sites around the State commemorate Underground Railroad activity in Wisconsin including the Milton House Museum. These sites, as well as your local library, are wonderful resources for learning more about the invaluable contributions of African-American teachers, writers, artists, healers, freedom fighters, farmers, businessmen and women, and families to the history of our Nation.

[Page S2116]

Many Wisconsin colleges and universities are celebrating African-American contributions and heritage this February as well. For example, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is holding the annual Soul Food Dinner and Gospel Festival. The University of Wisconsin-Superior will be hosting a visit from author Bakari Kitwana, and the Association of Students of African Descent will sponsor performances of African American readings, poetry, and music. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Black Student Union is sponsoring lectures and movie showings.

As stimulating as all this activity in February is, however, we should not relegate the study of black history to just this 1 month. February should be, and remain a starting point for a year long and life long exploration of the rich and varied contributions of our African-American communities.

Source: Government Printing Office
From CQ Congressional Record Service
Providing government documents on demand, in context.
©2003 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.