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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 13, 2023 11:27 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Donna Bullock and Rep. Napoleon J. Nelson, Rep. Darisha K. Parker, Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Black History Month |
| Black History Month would not have been possible without the creation of Negro History Week in the United States by famous historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He envisioned the week commemorating the countless individuals from the Black community who had contributed to the advance of human civilization. This vision later evolved in 1969 when students and educators at Kent State University promoted the idea of Black History Month (instead of a week), followed by its first celebration on campus in 1970. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling on the public to seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected and overlooked accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. That is why we are introducing a resolution recognizing the month of February 2023 as “Black History Month” in Pennsylvania. The Black History Month theme for 2023 is “Black Resistance,” acknowledging that Black Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. February is dedicated to honor the triumphs, struggles, and accomplishments of Black Americans. Please join us in honoring and lifting up the voices of Black individuals across our state and country. |