Hillary Scholten: “I welcome my friends, family, and constituents back home in west Michigan to my Special Order hour honoring notable…”

“I welcome my friends, family, and constituents back home in west Michigan to my Special Order hour honoring notable Black west Michiganders and the impact they have made on our wonderful community. Black History Month is not just about reflecting on the past. It is also about acknowledging the incredible individuals who have shaped our communities and continue to inspire future generations. Black history is woven into the very fabric of America, and it is our duty to honor it, not just in February but every single day of the year. As the Representative of Michigan's Third Congressional District, I am privileged to highlight some of the remarkable Black leaders, educators, athletes, activists, and artists who have left their mark on west Michigan. Their stories are ones of perseverance, excellence, and resilience in the face of adversity. They remind us that history is not just something written in textbooks, but it is alive in the people who have worked tirelessly to break barriers and uplift their communities. I want to first tell you about Lyman Parks first. Lyman Parks, Grand Rapids Mayor: After moving to Grand Rapids to serve as a pastor of the First Community AME Church in 1968, he was elected as the first Black commissioner in the city's history. Lyman Parks holds a special place in our history as the first and only Black mayor of Grand Rapids.…”