Bill Text: MI HR0028 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare February 2021 as Black History Month in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 31-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-04 - Adopted [HR0028 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HR0028-Enrolled.html
house resolution no.28
Reps. O'Neal, Whitsett, Hope, Breen, Brixie, Scott, Cavanagh, Hertel, Brenda Carter, Manoogian, Young, Aiyash, Camilleri, Hammoud, Cherry, Sneller, Bolden, Anthony, Cynthia Johnson, Brabec, Witwer, Neeley, Yancey, Sowerby, Clemente, Rabhi, Garza, Haadsma, Puri, Rogers and Sabo offered the following resolution:
A resolution to declare February 2021 as Black History Month in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, The history of the United States is rich with inspirational stories of great individuals whose actions, words, and achievements have united Americans and contributed to the success and prosperity of the United States; and
Whereas, Among those Americans who have enriched our society are the members of the Black community, individuals whose accomplishments have contributed to every endeavor throughout the history of our nation and this state and who have been steadfast in their commitment to promoting equality and justice for all; and
Whereas, In August 1619, the first documented Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. The group, recorded upon arrival as “20 and Odd Negroes,” was part of a larger group of West Africans enslaved by Portuguese slave traders. They were on their way to Veracruz aboard a Portuguese ship when they were captured off the coast of Mexico by an English warship and transported to Virginia, where they were put ashore at what is now Hampton, Virginia, and sold as involuntary laborers or indentured servants; and
Whereas, The historic arrival of the group of “20 and Odd Negroes” marked the beginning of the trend in colonial America where people of Africa were kidnapped from their homeland and transplanted to a foreign land, where they were condemned to a lifetime of slavery and racial injustices; and
Whereas, During the course of the slave trade, an estimated 50 million African men, women, and children were lost to their native continent, though only about 15 million arrived safely to a new home. The others lost their lives on African soil or along the Guinea coast, or finally in holds on the ships during the dreaded Middle Passage across the Atlantic Ocean; and
Whereas, In spite of the African slave trade, and in the face of injustices and inequalities, including lynch mobs, segregation, and the denial of the basic and fundamental rights of citizenship, Black Americans continued to move forward in society; and
Whereas, In 2021, the vestiges of those injustices and inequalities remain evident in the society of the United States; and
Whereas, From the earliest days of the United States, the course of its history has been greatly influenced by Black heroes and pioneers in many diverse areas, including science, medicine, business, education, government, law, industry, and social leadership; and
Whereas, many Black Americans lived, toiled, and died in obscurity, never achieving the recognition they deserved, and yet paved the way for future generations to succeed; and
Whereas, Black Americans have been great inventors, inventing and improving on innovations such as the air-conditioning unit, almanac, automatic gearshift, blood plasma bag, clothes dryer, doorknob, doorstop, electric lamp bulb, elevator, fire escape ladder, fountain pen, gas mask, golf tee, horseshoe, lantern, lawnmower, lawn sprinkler, lock, lubricating cup, refrigerating apparatus, spark plug, stethoscope, telephone transmitter, thermostat control, traffic signal, and typewriter; and
Whereas, The history of Blacks in America now includes the election and re-election of the first Black President of the United States and now the first Black Vice-President of the United States; and
Whereas, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the distinguished Black author, editor, publisher, and historian who is known as the “Father of Black History,” founded Negro History Week in 1926, which became Black History Month in 1976, celebrated during the month of February, with the intent to encourage further research and publications regarding the untold stories of Black heritage; and
Whereas, Dr. Woodson stated, "We have a wonderful history behind us…if you are unable to demonstrate to the world that you have this record, the world will say to you, 'You are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of democracy or anything else.'"; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare February 2021 as Black History Month in the state of Michigan. We urge all citizens to join in celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans that have helped create the legacy of this great country and encourages the people of Michigan to create equity and equality for education, economics, and social justice.
