Bill Text: NJ SR56 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes February as "Black History Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-26 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR56 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SR56-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes February as "Black History Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution recognizing the month of February as "Black History Month" in the State of New Jersey.
Whereas, The history of New Jersey and the history of our nation are inextricably linked to the heritage of our country's Black Americans; and
Whereas, In the beginning of our nation's history, the majority of Black Americans lived as slaves; yet many, such as Crispus Attucks, participated in the struggle for American independence, sacrificing their lives in order to build a society based upon the ideals of liberty, prosperity, and self-government; and
Whereas, The history of Black Americans is the story of extraordinary individuals whose achievements have set examples for the citizens of all races: of freedom fighters such as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman, who worked to abolish slavery and expand women's rights; of scientists and innovators such as George Washington Carver and Elijah McCoy, whose inventions and innovations contributed immeasurably to the scientific progress and industrial success of this nation; of energetic educators such as Booker T. Washington, the first leader of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, presently Tuskegee University in Alabama; and of social reformers such as Mary McCleod Bethune, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King, Jr. who dedicated his life and inspired others to create a nation where all people are created equal; and
Whereas, The history of democracy, justice, and diplomacy in our nation has been forever altered by Black Americans such as Barack Obama, the first black President of the United States; Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, the first and second black United States Supreme Court justice; Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, the first and second black United States Secretary of State; and Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch, the first and second black United States Attorney General; and
Whereas, The spirit of competition in athletics has risen to new heights in our nation because of Black Americans such as Jackie Robinson, the first black Major League Baseball player in the modern era and inductee of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard, one of the first black players in the National Football League and the League's first black head coach; and
Whereas, The history of New Jersey has been enriched by the shining examples of Black New Jerseyans such as Paul Robeson, whose intellectual, musical and athletic achievements set the highest standards for people of all races; William "Count" Basie, whose musical genius greatly enriched American music; and Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis, whose athletic accomplishments transformed the sport of track and field and brought Olympic glory to our nation and this State; and
Whereas, While the history of Black Americans is also the story of countless nameless heroes brought to our shores who endured lives of bondage and oppression, the deprivation of their civil rights, and the ravages of bigotry and racism, it is a history for which the most glorious chapters have yet to be written as Black Americans contribute in full measure to the fulfillment of the American promise; and
Whereas, The people of New Jersey and this nation should study the history of Black Americans through vehicles such as the Amistad Commission, so that they may learn from its stories of heroism, struggle, and achievement; and
Whereas, On April 7, 2005 this State adopted P.L.2005, Joint Resolution No. 2 which designated the month of February of each year as "Black History Month" in recognition of the many accomplishments of Black Americans and their contributions to the history of this nation and State, and to provide the citizens of this State with an annual opportunity to pay tribute to the sacrifices and accomplishments of Black Americans; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes February as "Black History Month" in the State of New Jersey and acknowledges and pays tribute to the bravery, sacrifices, and accomplishments of Black Americans.
2. This House urges all citizens of this State to reflect upon the many contributions that Black Americans have made to this State and nation and to participate in the activities and programs that are held in observance of "Black History Month" in accordance with P.L.2005, Joint Resolution No. 2.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes February as "Black History Month" in the State of New Jersey and acknowledges and pays tribute to the bravery, sacrifices, and accomplishments of Black Americans. The resolution urges all citizens to reflect upon the many contributions that Black Americans have made to this State and nation and to participate in the activities and programs that are held in observance of "Black History Month" in accordance with P.L.2005, Joint Resolution No. 2, which declared the month of February of each year as "Black History Month."
