“The foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”
By State Rep. Todd Hunter
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – February is recognized as Black History Month. Since 1976, each U.S. president has designated the month of February as Black History Month. This month is an important time for all of us to reflect on the achievements of African Americans throughout history and today. I would like to highlight the importance of this month and provide some information about its development.
This is a nationwide celebration of the achievements of African Americans and a time to recognize their role in U.S. history.
According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the thirteenth amendment abolished slavery in the United States. That September, the Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, and the prominent minister, Jesse E. Moorland helped found an organization that would be dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.Today, this organization is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The organization chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. As a result, many communities across the nation organized and promoted celebrations, history clubs, programs, events, and lectures.
The week-long celebration soon grew into a month-long celebration.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month when he called upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Ten years later in 1986, U.S. Congress designated the month of February as “National Black History Month.”
President Ronald Reagan noted in a proclamation that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”
President Ronald Reagan noted in a proclamation that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”
For more information about Black History Month, please visit the ASALH's website at https://asalh.org. Also, Texas A&M- Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) has a schedule of events for Black History Month. For more information and events visit https://www.tamucc.edu/ica/months/bhm
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments regarding any of the information or legislative processes mentioned above, and don't hesitate to call my Capitol or District Offices (Capitol Office: 512-463-0672 – District Office: 361-949-4603) if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas State Agency or if you'd like help regarding Constituent Services.
If you would like to follow the Texas House of Representatives and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at http://www.house.state.tx.us. The site features live streaming from the House Floor, Committee Hearings, as well as access to a number of other resources.
- You can also follow the Texas Senate at http://www.senate.state.tx.us
- The Texas Governor’s Official Website can be found at http://governor.state.tx.us
- If you'd like to review more information about the Texas State Legislature, visit the Texas Legislature Online.
As always, we're available at any time to assist you with questions, concerns, or comments. Your ideas and information are important forms of feedback, and I hope you'll not hesitate to contact my office.State Representative Todd Hunter serves the constituents of Texas House District 32, which is composed of Aransas, Calhoun, San Patricio and part of Nueces County.
