U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

2004 NEWS RELEASES, PRESS ADVISORIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHT CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HHISTORY MONTH

Washington, DC - The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is pleased to celebrate February 2004 as African American History Month. "During this month, we recognize the resilience and strength of African Americans and the many achievements and contributions African Americans have made throughout this nation's extraordinary history," said Commission Chairperson Mary Frances Berry. "Our nation is enhanced by the presence of diverse and multicultural peoples, and we grow stronger as a nation when we embrace the economic, creative, and intellectual benefits of our racially and ethnically diverse society."

African American History Month had its genesis in 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson, under the auspices of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, successfully lobbied for the creation of a "Negro History Week" to promote awareness of the achievements of African and American peoples. The week was expanded to Black History Month in 1976.

Since its founding in 1957, the Commission has been at the forefront of addressing African American issues and concerns, and has played a critical role in ascertaining where America is on race relations and where it should be, noted Berry. "Our work in recent years highlighting voting irregularities in Florida and the inadequacies of percentage plans as a replacement for race-conscious affirmative action programs in higher education continues the Commission's contributions to the nation's public policy discussion on salient civil rights issues."

"Hatred and intolerance still claim lives, while poverty and unequal opportunity continue to rob many Americans of full participation in the American dream," continued Berry. "The Commission calls upon all Americans and the federal government to celebrate African American History Month by taking action to help move this nation close to its highest ideals, thereby making equality, security, and justice for all a reality."

02/06/04