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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Black History Month is being celebrated in February |
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2023 in recognition of the rich cultural heritage and significant |
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achievements of African Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, The observance was first conceived by Dr. Carter G. |
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Woodson, a Harvard-educated scholar and the son of former slaves, |
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who saw a need to promote the research and study of African American |
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history at a time when it was overlooked by mainstream historians; |
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in 1926, Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February as Negro |
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History Week, due to the fact that it included the birthdays of |
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Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men of great influence |
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to Black Americans; in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded and |
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formalized the celebration to include the entire month of February |
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and urged citizens to use it as an opportunity "to honor the |
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too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every |
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area of endeavor throughout our history"; and |
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WHEREAS, The country has continued to work toward gaining |
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greater understanding of the enormity of African American |
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contributions in all realms; in September 2016, Barack Obama, the |
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first African American president of the United States, helped to |
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inaugurate the National Museum of African American History and |
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Culture, noting the centrality of the African American experience |
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to the American story; at the opening ceremony, former president |
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George W. Bush, who signed the 2003 bill authorizing construction |
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of the building, affirmed the study of African American history as a |
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demonstration of our commitment to a fuller, more comprehensive |
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telling of the nation's story; and |
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WHEREAS, While the journey of African Americans toward |
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freedom, equality, and justice is ongoing, the progress that has |
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been made thus far gives hope that our society can continue to move |
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forward and embrace change for the betterment of all people; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 2023 as Black History Month |
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and encourage all Texans to take advantage of opportunities for |
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learning, reflection, and celebration. |