Kendrick Meek: “I thank the gentleman, my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stokes), for having the insight to organize…”

“I thank the gentleman, my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stokes), for having the insight to organize today's Black History special. Certainly, the history of the people of African descent is interwoven with the history of America. The theme of African Americans in Business: The Path Toward Empowerment, is particularly significant. Since African Americans have been on American soil since 1619, black Americans have played an important part in the development of this great Nation. We helped to build this Nation. We helped to fight for America, and we helped America to gain its independence. We helped to build this country's thriving cities and farmed its fields and settled the West. As we celebrate Black History Month, I am mindful of this month's theme again, 'Black Americans in Business.' And I can think of many that have been mentioned, like Madame C.J. Walker, Percy Sutton, John Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Cathy Hughes. And then I cannot forget that blacks have owned and managed businesses since slavery.”