Reps. Clack, Sak, Johnson, Hammon, Vagnozzi, Bauer, Angerer, Espinoza, Corriveau, Cheeks, Virgil Smith, Robert Jones, Donigan, Meadows, Coulouris, LeBlanc, Brown, Polidori, Valentine, Bennett, Lahti, Young, Stahl, Alma Smith, Melton, Garfield, Lemmons, Bieda, Farrah, Byrnes, Dean, Scott, Rick Jones, Gaffney, Wenke, LaJoy, David Law, Steil, Hune, Stakoe, Hansen, Moore, Ebli, Leland, Schuitmaker, Spade, Gonzales, Rocca, Jackson, Tobocman, Dillon, Accavitti, Ball, Brandenburg, Caul, Condino, Constan, Cushingberry, Hopgood, Horn, Huizenga, Mayes, Miller, Pastor, Pearce, Shaffer, Sheltrown, Wojno, Booher, Calley, Hammel, Marleau, Moss and Proos offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 261.

            A resolution to commemorate February 2008 as Black History Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The origins of an Annual Black History Celebration began in 1900 when Mary Church Terrell would honor Frederick Douglas's birthday which is February 14, in Washington, DC.   In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, who witnessed this Annual Celebration, chose the second week of February for Black History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who had a profound impact on Black Americans:  Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.  Fifty years later, Black History Week evolved into Black History Month which celebrates and acknowledges the achievements of Black Americans; and

Whereas, History books had barely started covering Black history when the tradition of Black History Month began.  At that point, most representations of Blacks in history books was only in reference to the low social position they held, with the exception of George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington; and

Whereas, Part of the aim of Black History Month is to expose the harms of racial prejudice and to cultivate Black self-esteem following centuries of socio-economic oppression.  It is also an opportunity to recognize significant contributions to society made by people with African heritage; and

Whereas, Black History Month sparks an annual debate about the continued relevance of a designated month dedicated to the history of one race.  Woodson, creator of the Black History Week, hoped that the week would eventually be eliminated, when Black History would be fully integrated with American History.  His dream has yet to be realized; and

Whereas, Black History acknowledges the impact Black Americans have had on American society as a whole.  Black Americans have played a significant role in the United States since the first Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in August 1619.  Black Americans have made many contributions, from agriculture to the arts, which include many inventions such as the traffic light, disposable syringe, and the microphone, among many others; and

Whereas, A national month dedicated to educating all Americans on the achievements and contributions of Black Americans has afforded us the opportunity to learn a segment of American history that has been marginalized.  Until the day that history books honestly integrate Black History with American History, we should continue to celebrate Black History Month; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate February 2008 as Black History Month in the state of Michigan. We honor the contributions it is making to educate Americans on the achievements of Black Americans; and be it further

Resolved, We honor and join other organizations throughout the state and this country, as they use this occasion to honor the contribution of Black Americans; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to local civil rights organizations and Black History Museums throughout the state of Michigan.