Political Quotes

“yesterday marked the end of Black History Month, which we honored here in the Senate by adopting a resolution sponsored by the junior Senator from New York, Mrs. Gillibrand. The father of Black History Month was Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Now, I really didn't know who Carter Woodson was, but there was a wonderful piece on public radio yesterday that outlined in detail this man, who had been a garbage man, who did menial labor, and I just didn't realize how smart he was. His personal story is remarkable. Carter Woodson was born in Virginia to former slaves. He attended the University of Chicago--not an easy school to get into, certainly in the early part of the last century, when you are an African American. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1912, making him the second African-American man to do so. As a professor at Howard University here in Washington, DC, Dr. Woodson decided there was a need for Americans--Black and White--to better understand African-American history. In 1926, Dr. Woodson organized the first week devoted entirely to African-American history. He coordinated lectures, panels, and hosted children's plays that celebrated the lives of important figures in Black history. He had a tough time. They couldn't find places to meet. They wouldn't allow Blacks in many meeting halls. But he found rooms at the YMCA, churches, and Black fraternity houses to meet and to celebrate African- American history. He was relentless.…”