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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

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

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

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

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

History Month" across the nation; and

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

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

Americans; and

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

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

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

constitutional rights and protections went on for decades; and

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

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

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

and

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

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

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

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

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

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

descent have responded to the call of duty; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

construction of these magnificent historic structures; and

     WHEREAS, Many African-Americans have made enormous and significant

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

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

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

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

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

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

employment discrimination; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and

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

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

achievements have too long gone unrecognized; and

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

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

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

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

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

it

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

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

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

this great nation's history; and be it further

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

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

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