Pelosi Statement on Black History Month

Pelosi Statement on Black History Month

Thursday, February 2, 2006

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in recognition of Black History Month:

â€Å"Black History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the many contributions African Americans have made to our nation’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political fabric. With this year’s theme, ‘Celebrating Community: a Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social, and Civil Institutions’ we recall that the voice and vision of Black Americans is often rooted in its fraternal and civic organizations.

â€Å"These organizations help African Americans draw strength and pride, and encourage strong sense of community to help build a better America. Two great African American institutions, in particular, Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s first African American college fraternity and the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc, have afforded Blacks the opportunity to collectively effect change.

â€Å"The proud men of Alpha will mark their centennial this year; as the dynamic women of NACWC usher in 110 years of service. Both organizations mobilized to promote a sense of community, to encourage scholarship and to press for civil rights. The list of their esteemed members is long: Justice Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King were members of Alpha Phi Alpha. The legendary Harriet Tubman, anti-lynching activist Ida B. Wells and educator Martha Washington, wife of Booker T. Washington all gave their energy to the work of NACWC.

â€Å"Even though the important and productive work of these fine organizations began decades ago, there is much that still must be done. We must work to ensure that America’s African American community, indeed all of our communities, have the help they need to meet the challenges they face in education, healthcare, home ownership and economic development.

â€Å"Just as the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and Alpha Phi Alpha have shown, Democrats know that together, America can do better. Let’s support the great deeds and ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha and the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. and other great institutions like them as we continue to move forward together for a better America.”