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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2023, AS "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Hull, Abney, Biah, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Henries, Chippendale, Tanzi, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Throughout the history of the United States of America, truly significant

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African-American contributions to the economy, social growth, sciences, and arts in this great

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nation have all too often been ignored. In recognition of this plethora of major accomplishments

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made by men and women of African ancestry, the month of February is celebrated as "Black

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History Month" across the nation; and

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     WHEREAS, It is also vital to understand that every day of every month of every year in

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the history of our country, significant and historical contributions have been made by African-

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Americans; and

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     WHEREAS, African-Americans were first brought to America forcibly. They were

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enslaved, faced inhuman cruelty, and were subjected to injustices beyond understanding. Families

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were torn apart, lynching went unpunished, and segregation and denial of fundamental

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constitutional rights and protections went on for decades; and

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     WHEREAS, Though these men and women suffered immense tragedies and social

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inequalities, they also persevered, and their triumphs and contributions to the economic, artistic,

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literary, scientific, and technological advancement of our country are significant and momentous;

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and

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     WHEREAS, African-Americans have been an integral part of Rhode Island's social,

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political, and economic development from its beginning as a British colony, to its inclusion in the

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formation of the United States, to the rich diversity of today's Ocean State; and

 

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     WHEREAS, From the initial shots fired in the struggle for American Independence, to

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the participation of the Rhode Island 1st Black Regiment in the Battle of Newport, to the garrisons

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of the Rhode Island 14th Heavy Artillery Regiment (Colored) in 1863, Americans of African

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descent have responded to the call of duty; and

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     WHEREAS, In recognition of the numerous positive and patriotic contributions of

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African-American Rhode Islanders in the United States military, we honor their legacy of

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bravery, honor, and sacrifice. From the earliest recordation of Black History in our state,

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including those of slaves, former slaves, and free men, African-Americans have served with pride

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to protect our vital interests and provide for our common defense; and

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     WHEREAS, Structures in the City of Newport, such as the Brick Market, later used as

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the town hall and theater; the Old Colony House, which at one time served Rhode Island as its

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capitol; and the oldest library in America, the Redwood Library, stand as lasting and beautiful

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tributes to the African-Americans who lived in our state and played a major role in the

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construction of these magnificent historic structures; and

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     WHEREAS, Many African-Americans have made enormous and significant

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contributions to our nation, from Dr. Martin Luther King, whose eloquent and courageous actions

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on behalf of freedom and liberty for all earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and started our nation

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on the long and all-too-slow path towards equality for all, and President Barack Obama our

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nation's first African-American President, who continued and expanded upon Dr. King's vision

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through his support for expanding healthcare access for everyone, diversified the federal

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bureaucracy, strengthened women's right to fair pay, and protected LGBTQ citizens from

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employment discrimination; and

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     WHEREAS, Other African-Americans who have contributed much to our nation's

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vibrancy and success include Maya Angelou, the noted poet, civil rights activist, and recipient of

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the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President

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Barack Obama, famed novelist James Baldwin, famous inventor George Washington Carver,

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Civil Rights activist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune, Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, the

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first African-American to run for President of the United States, noted author and abolitionist

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Frederick Douglass, Doctor Charles Drew, whose research and work on plasma literally saved

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millions of lives, famous sociologist, writer and activist W.E.B. Du Bois, noted jazz composer

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and bandleader Duke Ellington, Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson, film director Spike Lee,

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famed actors Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington, the great Hall of Fame baseball player

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Jackie Robinson, who courageously faced down death threats to integrate Major League Baseball,

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famous boxers and American heroes Joe Louis and Muhammed Ali, Supreme Court Justice

 

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Thurgood Marshall, who, as a lawyer, won the famous Brown v. Board of Education public

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school desegregation case before the United States Supreme Court, photographer Gordon Parks,

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Olympic heroes Jesse Owens and Rafer Johnson, Abolition activists Sojourner Truth and Harriet

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Tubman, and noted educator, Civil Rights activist Booker T. Washington, golf legend Tiger

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Woods, tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams and numerous other African-Americans;

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and

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     WHEREAS, The United States and particularly the State of Rhode Island owe a debt of

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gratitude to our African-American citizens and their forefathers, whose documented

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achievements have too long gone unrecognized; and

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     WHEREAS, The theme for 2023 Black History Month is "Black Resistance." "African

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Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial

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terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores.

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These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic

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society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction"; now, therefore be

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it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

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proudly proclaims February as "Black History Month", and furthermore recognizes and applauds

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the sacrifices and myriad contributions made by African-American men and women throughout

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this great nation's history; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.

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