Jack Reed: “As we conclude Black History Month, I rise to join in the celebration of the achievements of African Americans…”

“As we conclude Black History Month, I rise to join in the celebration of the achievements of African Americans throughout our Nation's history, and especially in my home State of Rhode Island. Indeed, African Americans have contributed a great deal to my State, and I am honored to be able to acknowledge two such individuals today, the late Reverend Mahlon Van Horne of Newport, and the late John Hope of Brown University. Reverend Van Horne was one of Newport's most prominent African Americans in the late 1800's. He was an avid civil rights activist, a three term State representative, and was also one of the Nations first black diplomats. Reverend Van Horne came to Newport, RI, in 1868 after being ordained, and graduating from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He began his ministry in Rhode Island as the Acting Pastor of the Colored Union Congregational Church of Newport. Despite the times in which he lived, due to his charismatic leadership and scholarly sermons, his congregation was made up of both black and white Rhode Islanders, and the many black professionals from New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia who would come to Newport during the summer months.”