1Designating the month of February 2014 as "Black History Month"
2in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, It is the duty of a society to recognize those
4individuals within its borders who have contributed greatly to
5the quality of life therein; and

6WHEREAS, The contributions of African-American citizens as
7scientists, inventors, farmers, educators, homemakers and
8explorers, in addition to countless other professions have
9greatly benefited this Commonwealth and our nation; and

10WHEREAS, Multiethnicity and multiculturalism may be
11encouraged with an increased awareness of the important role
12that African Americans have played throughout the history of
13this Commonwealth and our nation; and

14WHEREAS, Carter Goodwin Woodson, an African-American
15historian, recognized these contributions and accomplishments
16and on February 7, 1926, created a cultural landmark known as

1"Negro History Week"; and

2WHEREAS, "Negro History Week" was changed to "Black History
3Week" during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and was
4subsequently expanded to "Black History Month"; and

5WHEREAS, "Black History Month" was officially recognized in
6the United States in 1976 as part of the bicentennial
7celebration and has continued to be a month-long celebration
8each year since 1976; and

9WHEREAS, Regarding "Black History Month," President Gerald
10Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-
11often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area
12of endeavor throughout our history"; and

13WHEREAS, "Black History Month" is an opportunity for all
14Americans to commemorate the struggles and victories of African
15Americans in our history and their invaluable contributions to
16society and to the protection and defense of our nation in war
17and peace; therefore be it

18RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of February
192014 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania in recognition of
20the contributions of the African-American community to our
21Commonwealth and our nation and encourage all citizens of this
22Commonwealth to seek increased awareness and understanding of
23these contributions through historical study.