2023 -- H 5326
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
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 1
African-American contributions to the economy, social growth, sciences, and arts in this great 2
nation have all too often been ignored. In recognition of this plethora of major accomplishments 3
made by men and women of African ancestry, the month of February is celebrated as "Black 4
History Month" across the nation; and 5
WHEREAS, It is also vital to understand that every day of every month of every year in 6
the history of our country, significant and historical contributions have been made by African-7
Americans; and 8
WHEREAS, African-Americans were first brought to America forcibly. They were 9
enslaved, faced inhuman cruelty, and were subjected to injustices beyond understanding. Families 10
were torn apart, lynching went unpunished, and segregation and denial of fundamental 11
constitutional rights and protections went on for decades; and 12
WHEREAS, Though these men and women suffered immense tragedies and social 13
inequalities, they also persevered, and their triumphs and contributions to the economic, artistic, 14
literary, scientific, and technological advancement of our country are significant and momentous; 15
and 16
WHEREAS, African-Americans have been an integral part of Rhode Island's social, 17
political, and economic development from its beginning as a British colony, to its inclusion in the 18
formation of the United States, to the rich diversity of today's Ocean State; and 19
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WHEREAS, From the initial shots fired in the struggle for American Independence, to 1
the participation of the Rhode Island 1
st
Black Regiment in the Battle of Newport, to the garrisons 2
of the Rhode Island 14
th
Heavy Artillery Regiment (Colored) in 1863, Americans of African 3
descent have responded to the call of duty; and 4
WHEREAS, In recognition of the numerous positive and patriotic contributions of 5
African-American Rhode Islanders in the United States military, we honor their legacy of 6
bravery, honor, and sacrifice. From the earliest recordation of Black History in our state, 7
including those of slaves, former slaves, and free men, African-Americans have served with pride 8
to protect our vital interests and provide for our common defense; and 9
WHEREAS, Structures in the City of Newport, such as the Brick Market, later used as 10
the town hall and theater; the Old Colony House, which at one time served Rhode Island as its 11
capitol; and the oldest library in America, the Redwood Library, stand as lasting and beautiful 12
tributes to the African-Americans who lived in our state and played a major role in the 13
construction of these magnificent historic structures; and 14
WHEREAS, Many African-Americans have made enormous and significant 15
contributions to our nation, from Dr. Martin Luther King, whose eloquent and courageous actions 16
on behalf of freedom and liberty for all earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and started our nation 17
on the long and all-too-slow path towards equality for all, and President Barack Obama our 18
nation's first African-American President, who continued and expanded upon Dr. King's vision 19
through his support for expanding healthcare access for everyone, diversified the federal 20
bureaucracy, strengthened women's right to fair pay, and protected LGBTQ citizens from 21
employment discrimination; and 22
WHEREAS, Other African-Americans who have contributed much to our nation's 23
vibrancy and success include Maya Angelou, the noted poet, civil rights activist, and recipient of 24
the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President 25
Barack Obama, famed novelist James Baldwin, famous inventor George Washington Carver, 26
Civil Rights activist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune, Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, the 27
first African-American to run for President of the United States, noted author and abolitionist 28
Frederick Douglass, Doctor Charles Drew, whose research and work on plasma literally saved 29
millions of lives, famous sociologist, writer and activist W.E.B. Du Bois, noted jazz composer 30
and bandleader Duke Ellington, Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson, film director Spike Lee, 31
famed actors Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington, the great Hall of Fame baseball player 32
Jackie Robinson, who courageously faced down death threats to integrate Major League Baseball, 33
famous boxers and American heroes Joe Louis and Muhammed Ali, Supreme Court Justice 34
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Thurgood Marshall, who, as a lawyer, won the famous Brown v. Board of Education public 1
school desegregation case before the United States Supreme Court, photographer Gordon Parks, 2
Olympic heroes Jesse Owens and Rafer Johnson, Abolition activists Sojourner Truth and Harriet 3
Tubman, and noted educator, Civil Rights activist Booker T. Washington, golf legend Tiger 4
Woods, tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams and numerous other African-Americans; 5
and 6
WHEREAS, The United States and particularly the State of Rhode Island owe a debt of 7
gratitude to our African-American citizens and their forefathers, whose documented 8
achievements have too long gone unrecognized; and 9
WHEREAS, The theme for 2023 Black History Month is "Black Resistance." "African 10
Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial 11
terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. 12
These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic 13
society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction"; now, therefore be 14
it 15
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 16
proudly proclaims February as "Black History Month", and furthermore recognizes and applauds 17
the sacrifices and myriad contributions made by African-American men and women throughout 18
this great nation's history; and be it further 19
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 20
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. 21
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