HR 359: Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence; Black History Month; honor

House Resolution 359

By: Representative Mitchell of the 88th

A RESOLUTION

Celebrating Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence in honor of Black History Month; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, founder of the TIUA School of Business, Trinity International Chaplaincy Institute, Trinity International University of Ambassadors Corp., and Trinity Girls Network Corp., stands as an advocate for Black history and economic empowerment; and

WHEREAS, in honor of Black History Month, the TIUA School of Business proudly presents The Economic Empowerment Summit and The Black Excellence Historic Brunch, held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to society; and

WHEREAS, the United States was envisioned in 1776 as a nation dedicated to the proposition in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"; and

WHEREAS, Africans were forcibly brought to the United States as early as the 17th century, enduring enslavement, segregation, and the denial of fundamental rights of citizenship; and

WHEREAS, despite these injustices, African Americans have demonstrated resilience, striving for equality and contributing to the economic, political, and cultural advancements of the United States; and

WHEREAS, African Americans such as Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth, Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and countless others have worked against racism, inspiring change and achieving monumental success in various fields; and

WHEREAS, many unsung African American heroes lived, toiled, and paved the way for future generations to succeed, yet they remain unrecognized; and

WHEREAS, the celebration of Black History Month originated in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History," established Negro History Week, which evolved into the modern observance of Black History Month; and

WHEREAS, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on September 24, 2016, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, February serves as a time to reflect on the complexity of the United States' history, acknowledging the progress made and the work still necessary to achieve true equality.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body celebrate Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence, recognizing the contributions of African Americans throughout history; honor Black History Month, reflecting on the resilience, creativity, and perseverance of African Americans and their impact on the nation; encourage the celebration of Black History Month as an opportunity for all Americans to learn, honor the past, and remain hopeful for the future; and recognize that the United States, while born a divided nation, continues to strive for unity and justice for all people, honoring the legacies of those who fought for liberty and equality. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.