Recognizing the significance of Black History Month.

Madam Speaker, from February 3, 2009, to March 4, 2009, I missed Roll Call votes 47-96. Unfortunately, I underwent a surgical procedure and was in California recuperating. Had I been here, I would have voted the following:

Roll Call Vote 47: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 82, raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by establishing January 2009 as National Stalking Awareness Month;

Roll Call Vote 48: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 103, supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week;

Roll Call Vote 49: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 559, The Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely (FAST) Redress Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 50: No on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 51: Yes on the motion to commit with instructions S. 352, the DTV Delay Act;

Roll Call Vote 52: No on passage of S. 352, the DTV Delay Act;

Roll Call Vote 53: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 738, the Death in Custody Reporting Act;

Roll Call Vote 54: Yes on the motion to instruct conferees on H. R. 1, Making Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending 2009;

Roll Call Vote 55: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 114, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Girls and Women in Sports Day;

Roll Call Vote 56: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 60, Recognizing and commending University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy and for his academic and athletic accomplishments;

Roll Call Vote 57: No on the motion to table H. Res. 143, Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House;

Roll Call Vote 58: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 128, Honoring Miami University for its 200 years of commitment to extraordinary higher education;

Roll Call Vote 59: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 134, Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s visit to India and the positive influence that the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi had on Dr. King's work during the Civil Rights Movement;

Roll Call Vote 60: No on agreeing to H. Con. Res. 47, Providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses;

Roll Call Vote 61: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 154, Honoring John D. Dingell for holding the record as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives;

Roll Call Vote 62: No on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 448, the Elder Abuse Victims Act;

Roll Call Vote 63: No on the motion to agree to H. Res. 157, providing for the consideration of motions to suspend the rules, and for other purposes;

Roll Call Vote 64: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 117, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week;

Roll Call Vote 65: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 35, Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 100th anniversary;

Roll Call Vote 66: No on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 168, providing for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 67: No on H. Res. 168, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 68: No on the question of consideration of the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 69: Yes on the motion to recommit the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 70: No on agreeing to the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 71: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules agree to H. Res. 139, Commemorating the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln on the bicentennial of his birth;

Roll Call Vote 72: No on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 911, the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act;

Roll Call Vote 73: No on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act;

Roll Call Vote 74: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 601, the Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act;

Roll Call Vote 75: No on approving the journal;

Roll Call Vote 76: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and H.R. 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act;

Roll Call Vote 77: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 637, the South Orange County Recycled Water Enhancement Act;

Roll Call Vote 78: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 83, Recognizing the significance of Black History Month;

Roll Call Vote 79: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 234, the Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building;

Roll Call Vote 80: Yes on approving the journal;

Roll Call Vote 81: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 47, Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day;

Roll Call Vote 82: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 180, Supporting the goals and ideals of the third annual America Saves Week;

Roll Call Vote 83: No on the consideration of H. Res. 184, providing for consideration of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations for 2009;

Roll Call Vote 84: Yes on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 184, providing for consideration of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations for 2009;

Roll Call Vote 85: Yes on H. Res. 184, providing for the consideration of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 86: No on passage of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 87: No on the motion to table H. Res. 189, raising a question of the privileges of the House;

Roll Call Vote 88: No on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 190, providing for consideration of H.R. 1106 to prevent mortgage foreclosures and enhance mortgage credit availability;

Roll Call Vote 89: No on H. Res. 190, Providing for consideration of H.R. 1106 to prevent mortgage foreclosures and enhance mortgage credit availability;

Roll Call Vote 90: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 183, expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental Connection flight 3407;

Roll Call Vote 91: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 146, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act;

Roll Call Vote 92: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 548, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act;

Roll Call Vote 93: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 77, congratulating the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA for more than 100 years of service and leadership to the United States;

Roll Call Vote 94: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 201, recognizing Beverly Eckerts service to the nation and particularly to the survivors and families of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Roll Call Vote 95: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 195, recognizing and honoring the employees of the Department of Homeland Security on its sixth anniversary for their continuous efforts to keep the nation safe; and

Roll Call Vote 96: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 45, raising awareness and promoting education on the criminal justice system by establishing March as National Criminal Justice Month.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 83) recognizing the significance of Black History Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

As a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, I'm pleased to stand in full support and consideration of House Resolution 83, which calls for Congress to recognize the significance of Black History Month, which is annually commemorated during the month of February.

House Resolution 83 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Al Green of Texas, on January 23, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on February 11, 2009, by a voice vote.

The measure has strong support and cosponsorship of over 70 Members of Congress. Yet today's floor consideration of the bill gives Members of this body an opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions that African Americans have made to America's growth department and rich history.

As we are aware, February marks the beginning of Black History Month, which was first celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American author and scholar; but it has since become a month-long commemorative celebration as a way of recognizing and highlighting the role that black Americans have played in America since its existence, and the role they continue to play in the country on a daily basis.

From the story of Crispus Attucks, a black man from my home State of Massachusetts, who became the first American casualty of the Revolutionary War during the Boston Massacre, to such powerful individuals as Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Madam C.J. Walker, General Colin Powell, to the thousands of military service men and women who have bravely served our nation, to the Members of our own Congressional Black Caucus and, of course, to our now 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, who will speak to this body this evening.

The contributions that black Americans have made to this great Nation are intricately woven into who we are as a people and as a country. And it is not just the pioneers or the leaders that have made a difference, but importantly, it is the everyday citizen that's serving as a teacher, a mentor, a pastor, a doctor, a first responder, a public servant, or a parent who continues to impact our country's history in such a powerful and positive way.

Across our great land, Black History Month is marked by the offerings of educational and cultural programs, heightened media coverage and special celebrations and events designed to share with the world the strength, the ingenuity, and accomplishments of our fellow American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, as we move to recognize Black History Month and this year's educational theme of ``The quest for black citizenship in the Americas,'' let us all recall the experience and valuable contributions of African Americans to the United States of America. Moreover, let us not forget that black history is truly American history.

And with that, I urge the swift passage of House Resolution 83.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to recognize the chief sponsor of this resolution, my friend from Texas (Mr. Al Green), for 4 minutes.

I yield the gentleman 1 more minute.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am pleased to recognize the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) for 2 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) for 3 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would be honored to recognize Representative Donald Payne from New Jersey for 2 minutes.

I would like to recognize the gentleman for 1 additional minute.

I thank the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, again I want to urge my colleagues to join myself, Representative Al Green--who is the chief sponsor of this resolution-- Mr. Payne, and others who have spoken here today in supporting and recognizing the significance of Black History Month by voting in favor of House Resolution 83.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Towns, Ranking Member Issa, Subcommittee Chair Lynch, the manager of the resolution on the floor from Ohio, Congressman Jordan, and I also thank the many cosponsors of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, how appropriate it is that this resolution would come to the floor of the House of Representatives on the day that the newly elected President of the United States of America would address a joint session of Congress. How appropriate it is because the newly elected President of the United States of America is a significant manifestation of how important black history is in the United States of America. It is on this day that he will address this joint session of Congress, and he is a person of African ancestry.

While it is true that we should remember the horrors of history, it is equally as true that we should celebrate the successes of history. And I believe that this resolution is a means by which we can engage in the celebration of good deeds accomplished and great things done that can engender the inspiration to do that which must be done.

So let us today celebrate the fact that African Americans were able to overcome involuntary servitude with the help of Americans of good will of all hues, of all colors. And because they were helped and they were able to overcome involuntary servitude, we should allow this to engender the inspiration necessary to go forward and deal with some of the problems that African Americans are confronting today, the problems of housing that finds African Americans without homes many times and being evicted from homes on too many occasions.

Let's celebrate the many successes in the area of education, from Phillis Wheatley, to many other great educators, Dr. Benjamin Mays, for example. And as we celebrate their successes, let this engender within us the inspiration to deal with the dropout rates around this country that can be in excess of 50 percent in some quarters of the African American community.

Let's celebrate the successes in the civil rights movement that enabled us to overcome the indignation and humiliation of segregation. But as we celebrate this, let it engender within us the inspiration to help the many who are still suffering around the world, who have not had their human rights and human dignity respected by their governments.

Let us celebrate the many political accomplishments that we have right here in the House of Congress. We have Member Charlie Rangel, who happens to chair Ways and Means; Member Bennie Thompson, African American, who happens to chair Homeland Security; Member Maxine Waters, African American, who happens to chair the Housing Subcommittee of Financial Services.

And as we celebrate the accomplishments of these great and noble Americans here in the House of Representatives, let it provide the inspiration for us to understand that we are here not because of our color, not because we are of African ancestry, we are here because the people of America expect us to do the great work that has to be done.

So this is a time for celebration that engenders inspiration, and I am honored to be inspired to move forward and support this resolution. And I beg that all of my colleagues would vote for it.

Mr. Speaker, once again the month of February is upon us and we take a moment to look back. We look back and remember the fighters, the marchers, and the dreamers. We look back and remember those who marched on when they were told to stand down, and who remained seated when they were told to get up. We pay tribute to those heroes whose voices are heard across the generations, and to those heroes whose defiant silence rings louder than any word can be spoken. It is Black History Month. It is a month of solemn remembrance; and a month of exuberant hope.

So let us look back to remember and to honor those who refused to allow the status quo to hold this nation back from the fulfillment of its promise. Let us honor the ordinary slave, who embraced extraordinary courage to flee his oppressors and help maintain our union; the airman who fought and died for a country whose promise was not yet his, but who refused to stop believing what it could become; the preacher's son from Georgia, who dared to march and dared to dream; and the funny-named son of a Kenyan man and a Kansas woman who asked a nation what it wanted to become. Let us take this opportunity to remember these people, and the countless others who struggled by their side, honoring them with humility and gratitude.

Yet, also as we celebrate this month of remembrance, there is a principle that must not be forgotten: let us look back in order to honor the struggles and celebrate the triumphs of African-Americans throughout our history, but let us not forget that those struggles were endured and those triumphs attained so that we may look forward. These heroes of the past fought for that right. That right to look forward towards a future brighter than the past, filled with the opportunities that give our nation so much promise. If we wish to continue the progress towards our forebears' vision we must never forget this crucial principle.

Furthermore, it is this principle of looking forward which makes this Black History Month so different from the rest. This Black History Month we see, for the first time, the unequivocal results of more than two hundred years of looking forward, of more than two hundred years of fighting for the hope of tomorrow, and of struggling for the promise of the future. We see this in our new president, who embodies not only everything so many before him have struggled for, but everything we continue to strive for. As President Obama himself has said, ``What we have already achieved gives us hope--the audacity to hope--for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.''

Thus, Mr. Speaker I would like to leave my colleagues and the American people with what I believe to be the fundamental purpose of Black History Month: to look back, to the heroes and happenings of the past, so that we and our children may look forward to a future of greater promise, greater justice, and greater opportunity than has ever been previously imagined.

Mr. Speaker, as an original co-sponsor I proudly rise in strong support of H. Res. 83, which recognizes the significance of Black History Month. Since 1926, the contributions of African Americans have been recognized and celebrated each February. It comes as no surprise that this year Black History Month is especially significant with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation's 44th President.

I thank my colleague and friend from Texas, Congressman Al Green, for introducing this very important resolution. The joy we all feel on this occasion is tempered by the grief that still lingers over the sudden loss last year of our dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio.

For more than 400 years and despite tremendous hardships such as slavery, segregation, and legalized injustice, African Americans

have made significant contributions to the economic, educational, political, artistic, literary, religious, scientific, and technological life in the United States.

As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, let me say that it is altogether fitting and proper that we set aside the month of February to remember and honor the achievements and contributions of American heroes like George Washington Carver, Dr. Charles Drew, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Jackie Robinson, Crispus Attucks, Tiger Woods, Benjamin Banneker, and Guion Bluford, Jr.

But Mr. Speaker, nothing wilts so fast as laurels that are rested upon. Time marches on and history unfolds daily. The greatest contributions to the American experience are yet to be made. The challenges facing our country are great but not as great as our will to overcome them. We have an economy to rebuild, an environment to protect, a generation to educate, diseases to cure, and lives to reclaim.

We will succeed. And when the history of this period is written, I have no doubt that it will record the tremendous accomplishments made by Americans, including African Americans.

We will rebuild our economy, preserve the environment and protect the planet, end the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other scourges; provide a world class education to the next generation; and demonstrate to the world not only that it is possible but desirable for people of different races, creeds, and religions to live and work together in peace and harmony.

As members of the greatest legislative body in the world it remains our duty this month and every month of every year to pursue policies that promote social and economic justice.

As an African American woman and legislator who has been benefited from the pioneering work of others, I am committed to doing all that I can to ensure that the doors of opportunity are opened even wider and that all persons in our country have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and realize their dreams.

I urge all Members to joining me in voting to support this resolution.