PRINTER'S NO. 190
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 21
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STREET, HAYWOOD, HUGHES, A. WILLIAMS, TARTAGLIONE,
SCHWANK, SAVAL, BOSCOLA, KIM, FONTANA, PENNYCUICK, CULVER,
COMITTA, CAPPELLETTI, COSTA, SANTARSIERO AND KANE,
FEBRUARY 5, 2025
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of February 2025 as "Black History Month"
2 in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, The contributions of African-American citizens as
4 scientists, inventors, legislators, farmers, educators,
5 explorers and countless other professions have positively
6 impacted every sphere of influence within this Commonwealth; and
7 WHEREAS, In 1915, in response to the dearth of information
8 that existed in the public domain regarding the feats and
9 accomplishments of African Americans, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson,
10 an African-American historian, founded the Association for the
11 Study of Negro Life and History, which is now known as the
12 Association for the Study of African American Life and History
13 (ASALH); and
14 WHEREAS, In an effort to further build upon the mission and
15 scope of the ASALH, on February 7, 1926, Dr. Woodson designated
16 the second week of February as "Negro History Week," which was
17 chosen for the initial weeklong celebration to honor the birth
 1 month of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick
2 Douglass; and
3 WHEREAS, Dr. Woodson, often referred to as the "Father of
4 Black History," dedicated his life to the field of African-
5 American history and encouraged the coordinated teaching and
6 study of the history of African Americans in our nation's
7 schools; and
8 WHEREAS, In 1928, ASALH established its first annual theme
9 for what was then known as "Negro History Week," which was
10 "Civilization: A World Achievement"; and
11 WHEREAS, Over the course of several decades following the
12 inception of "Negro History Week," many local municipalities,
13 colleges and universities across the country began celebrating
14 the observance in an augmented form as "Black History Month";
15 and
16 WHEREAS, In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized
17 and included "Black History Month" as part of the United States
18 Bicentennial, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to
19 honor the too often neglected accomplishments of black Americans
20 in every area of human endeavor throughout our history"; and
21 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has always
22 endeavored to vigorously advocate for the needs of all people of
23 color in this Commonwealth by acting as a unified voice
24 concerning the issues that most acutely impact their daily
25 lives; and
26 WHEREAS, This year's "Black History Month" theme, as
27 established and adopted by ASALH, is "African Americans and
28 Labor"; and
29 WHEREAS, "Black History Month" is an opportunity for all
30 citizens to commemorate the historical hardships and
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1 achievements of African Americans, laud their invaluable
2 contributions to both our domestic and global community and
3 acknowledge the sacrifices that African Americans have made on
4 behalf and in defense of our great nation; therefore be it
5 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of February
6 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania.
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