Thomas M. Barrett: “Today I honor the accomplishments and advancements of African Americans, and I join the celebration of Black History…”

“Today I honor the accomplishments and advancements of African Americans, and I join the celebration of Black History Month. It is fitting that we honor African-American business pioneers this year, as we are in the midst of record economic growth. Many African-American businesses have indeed made strides in the business world. The Reverend Martin Luther King saw the economic potential of the African-American community and called for the use of that power. He said, ``We are a poor people individually. Collectively, we are richer than all the nations in the world, with the exception of nine. We have an annual income of more than $30 billion a year. That is power right there if we know how to pool it.'' In my home city of Milwaukee, and across the Nation, African-American businesses have made the sacrifices necessary to achieve success in the business world. These efforts have paved the way for today's African-American businesses and entrepreneurs and established a solid business environment in which minority-owned businesses now grow and prosper.”