A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of dr. carter g. woodson in honor of black history month.

Whereas, since 1976, February has been recognized as Black History Month across the United States; and
Whereas, Black History Month evolved from "Negro History Week", which was established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard‑educated African‑American author and scholar, who wanted to bring national attention to the contributions African‑Americans have made to this country; and
Whereas, Dr. Carter G. Woodson died on April 3, 1950; and
Whereas, Black History Month serves as a time to reflect upon past sacrifices and accomplishments of African‑Americans and to contemplate future goals in correcting the disparities that exist between African‑Americans and other races; and
Whereas, African‑Americans have played significant roles in the history of North Carolina's economic, cultural, and social development; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the birthplace of numerous influential African‑American leaders and role models in their fields, including North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Henry E. Frye, educators Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown and Dr. Simon Green Atkins, politician George Henry White, newspaper editor Alex Manly, businessman John H. Merrick, craftsman Thomas Day, musicians Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, and athletes George "Meadowlark" Lemon and Ray Charles "Sugar Ray" Leonard; and
Whereas, it is important to recognize and acknowledge that Black history is American history; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Dr. Carter G. Woodson for establishing Black History Month.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly acknowledges Black History Month and encourages all North Carolinians to join in observing Black History Month.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 2nd day of March, 2005.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives