25 LC 112 3081 House Resolution 359 By: Representative Mitchell of the 88 th A RESOLUTION Celebrating Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence in honor of Black History 1 Month; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, founder of the TIUA School of Business, Trinity3 International Chaplaincy Institute, Trinity International University of Ambassadors Corp.,4 and Trinity Girls Network Corp., stands as an advocate for Black history and economic5 empowerment; and6 WHEREAS, in honor of Black History Month, the TIUA School of Business proudly7 presents The Economic Empowerment Summit and The Black Excellence Historic Brunch,8 held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, recognizing individuals who have made9 extraordinary contributions to society; and10 WHEREAS, the United States was envisioned in 1776 as a nation dedicated to the11 proposition in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal, that they are12 endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty,13 and the pursuit of Happiness"; and14 H. R. 359 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3081 WHEREAS, Africans were forcibly brought to the United States as early as the 17th century, 15 enduring enslavement, segregation, and the denial of fundamental rights of citizenship; and16 WHEREAS, despite these injustices, African Americans have demonstrated resilience,17 striving for equality and contributing to the economic, political, and cultural advancements18 of the United States; and19 WHEREAS, African Americans such as Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth,20 Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King21 Jr., Rosa Parks, and countless others have worked against racism, inspiring change and22 achieving monumental success in various fields; and23 WHEREAS, many unsung African American heroes lived, toiled, and paved the way for24 future generations to succeed, yet they remain unrecognized; and25 WHEREAS, the celebration of Black History Month originated in 1926 when Dr. Carter G.26 Woodson, the "Father of Black History," established Negro History Week, which evolved27 into the modern observance of Black History Month; and28 WHEREAS, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on29 September 24, 2016, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., preserving and celebrating30 the rich legacy of African Americans; and31 WHEREAS, February serves as a time to reflect on the complexity of the United States'32 history, acknowledging the progress made and the work still necessary to achieve true33 equality.34 H. R. 359 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3081 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that 35 the members of this body celebrate Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence,36 recognizing the contributions of African Americans throughout history; honor Black History37 Month, reflecting on the resilience, creativity, and perseverance of African Americans and38 their impact on the nation; encourage the celebration of Black History Month as an39 opportunity for all Americans to learn, honor the past, and remain hopeful for the future; and40 recognize that the United States, while born a divided nation, continues to strive for unity and41 justice for all people, honoring the legacies of those who fought for liberty and equality.42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized43 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the44 public and the press.45 H. R. 359 - 3 -