HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2017 AS "AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH" AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR ISSUE A PROCLAMATION FOR THE OCCASION.

WHEREAS, members of the 149 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware wish to honor the heritage of African Americans and acknowledge the many contributions African Americans have made to Delaware and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Black History Week was established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in February 1926, to highlight the proud heritage and history of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, the observance of Black History Week in February was expanded to African American History Month in 1976; and

WHEREAS, February holds great significance for the many milestones it contains, including: February 23, 1868, when the civil rights leader and co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, W.E.B. DuBois, was born; February 3, 1870, when the 15 ^th Amendment granting black men the right to vote passed; and February 25, 1870, when the first African American U.S. Senator, Hiram R. Revels, took his oath of office representing the state of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, African Americans in Delaware have provided historic contributions through such individuals as the the late State Representative Al O. Plant, Sr., the late State Senator Herman Holloway, Sr., and the late Littleton P. Mitchell, all of whom have blazed a trail for full freedom, equality, opportunity, and participation for all citizens in Delaware and in these United States of America; and

WHEREAS, there are many great African Americans who have achieved historic global significance, such as the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Althea Gibson, Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali and President Barack Obama;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 149 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that February 2017 is designated as “African American History Month” and that the Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all State agencies and the people of the State of Delaware to observe the month of February with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that will emphasize the contributions of African Americans to the development and prosperity of this great Nation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this resolution shall be delivered to the Governor of the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes February 2017 as “African American History Month.” It also requests the Governor issue a proclamation declaring the same and encouraging State agencies and all Delawareans to observe the occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.