HR 11 (LSB 2206HH (3) 85)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 11

BY  ABDUL-SAMAD, GAINES, STAED, DAWSON, PRICHARD, T. OLSON, MURPHY, KOESTER, LOFGREN, HEDDENS, HUNTER, SALMON, DUNKEL, HANUSA, MAXWELL, HUSEMAN, GASKILL, PETTENGILL, STECKMAN, PAULSEN, KEARNS, WESSEL-KROESCHELL, R. OLSON, OLDSON, MUHLBAUER, H. MILLER, BERRY, COHOON, RUFF, HANSON, JACOBY, KELLEY, HALL, THEDE, and STUTSMAN

A Resolution designating February 2013 as Black History Month.

   WHEREAS, Black History Month in the United States dates back to 1926, based upon the efforts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-educated scholar descended from slave parents; and
   WHEREAS, Black History Month is traditionally observed in February of each year; and
   WHEREAS, Black History Month is designated to recognize and pay tribute to many African Americans long neglected by society and the history books; and
   WHEREAS, Black History Month aims to bridge the gap created by American history’s failure to accurately acknowledge, portray, and record the contributions of Blacks in society; and
   WHEREAS, Black History Month acknowledges the achievements of Blacks in the military, the arts, civil rights, education, entertainment, history, law, literature, medicine, music, politics, science, sports, and other areas; and
   WHEREAS, the African American population in Iowa has grown from 1.4 percent of the state population in 1980 to 2.5 percent in 2006, and is projected to grow to 3.5 percent by 2030; and
   WHEREAS, African Americans in Iowa are increasingly assuming leadership roles in law, medicine, government, education, the arts, and other areas; and
   WHEREAS, five African Americans are currently serving in the House of Representatives; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives designates February 2013 as Black History Month and encourages schools, community leaders, religious leaders, and all Iowans to take this opportunity to discover the history of African Americans in Iowa, from George Washington Carver to James B. Morris to Simon Estes to Luther and Willie Glanton, and to learn about the contributions African Americans continue to make to Iowa’s economic and cultural well-being.