Dick Durbin: “this year marks the 90th anniversary of historian and scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson's launch of Negro History Week--and…”

“this year marks the 90th anniversary of historian and scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson's launch of Negro History Week--and is the 40th anniversary of the inaugural Black History Month. This year, as Black History Month is coming to a close, I want to celebrate by paying tribute to a Chicago neighborhood that has played a significant part in our country's African-American and labor history-- the Pullman Historical District. One year ago this month, President Obama designated the South Side Chicago's Pullman Historic District as the Nation's 406th national park. The Pullman National Historical Park has a special place in our Nation's history. It has been the site of some major historical events. The men and women of the Pullman community--the birthplace of the Nation's first Black labor union--the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters--helped shape our country as we know it today. By fighting for fair labor conditions in the 19th century, the Pullman workers advanced America's civil rights movement. In the 1890s, the Pullman community was the catalyst for the first industrywide strike during one of the worst economic depressions our Nation ever faced--and led to the creation of Labor Day as a national holiday. These railroad workers aren't always mentioned in the history books or picked to join the parades during Black History Month--but they made history and deserve to be honored.…”