Washington, D.C. - During Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of African Americans. In addition to remembering our heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass and former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm – we especially take note of the extraordinary lives of the ordinary people who have helped build our great nation.
African Americans continue to contribute to our nation and to make enormous strides, despite having had to overcome unspeakable hardship and indefensible prejudice throughout history.
In March, I will embark on a Civil Rights Pilgrimage with Representative John Lewis and other Members of Congress. This bipartisan trip will retrace the steps of the civil rights movement as it unfolded in Alabama. During the journey, we will travel to Selma, Alabama to commemorate the 40th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” when Representative Lewis and other civil rights marchers were beaten by of Sheriff Jim Clark and the Alabama State troopers on the infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge. My 13-year-old son Nicholas will accompany me on this trip and I am looking forward to exposing him to this important chapter in our nation’s history.
It is critical that young students growing up today learn about the cruel realities endured by African Americans before the civil rights movement. This knowledge is important not only as a matter of history, but also because of its relevance now and into the future. Despite the enormous progress we have made, we must continue to work to stamp out racial discrimination and prejudice wherever they exist.
As we celebrate Black History Month, let us celebrate in the spirit of the civil rights movement and recommit ourselves to civil, social and economic justice and equality for all Americans.
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