2022 -- S 2269 | |
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LC004790 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022 | |
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N | |
PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2022, AS "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" IN THE STATE | |
OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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Introduced By: Senators Mack, Cano, Felag, Burke, Quezada, DiPalma, Murray, Acosta, | |
Date Introduced: February 15, 2022 | |
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration | |
1 | WHEREAS, Throughout the history of America, truly significant African-American |
2 | contributions to the economy, social growth, sciences, and arts in this great nation have all too |
3 | often been ignored. In recognition of this plethora of major accomplishments made by men and |
4 | women of African ancestry, the month of February is celebrated as "Black History Month" across |
5 | the nation; and |
6 | WHEREAS, African-Americans were first brought to America forcibly. They were |
7 | enslaved, faced inhuman cruelty, and were subjected to injustices beyond understanding. Families |
8 | were torn apart, lynching went unpunished, and segregation and denial of fundamental |
9 | constitutional rights and protections went on for decades; and |
10 | WHEREAS, Though these men, women and children suffered immense tragedies and |
11 | social inequalities, they also persevered, and their triumphs and contributions to the economic, |
12 | artistic, literary, scientific, and technological advancement of our country are significant and |
13 | momentous; and |
14 | WHEREAS, African-Americans have been an integral part of Rhode Island's social, |
15 | political, and economic development from its beginning as a British colony, to its inclusion in the |
16 | formation of the United States, to the rich diversity of today's Ocean State; and |
17 | WHEREAS, The systemic gaps that exist and continue to prevent the Black community |
18 | from creating generational wealth, for example, the existing home ownership gap between the |
19 | African-American community and the rest of American society must be recognized; and |
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1 | WHEREAS, The United States and particularly the State of Rhode Island owe a debt of |
2 | gratitude to our African-American citizens and their forefathers, whose documented |
3 | achievements have too long gone unrecognized; and |
4 | WHEREAS, The theme for this year's celebration of Black History Month is "Black |
5 | Health and Wellness." This theme resonates for many given the current Covid-19 Pandemic and |
6 | the racial disparities that exist within America Healthcare. Observances throughout the month of |
7 | February will honor Black health pioneers such as Daniel Hale Williams, a renowned cardiologist |
8 | who performed the world's first successful open heart surgery in 1893, and Rebecca Lee |
9 | Crumpler, who in 1864 became the first Black woman in the United States to receive a medical |
10 | degree. Also, communities are being encouraged to honor and recognize the many doulas, |
11 | midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, and others who have worked tirelessly to improve the health |
12 | and well-being of Black Americans; now, therefore be it |
13 | RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proudly proclaims |
14 | February as "Black History Month", and furthermore recognizes and applauds the sacrifices and |
15 | myriad contributions made by African-American men and women throughout this great nation's |
16 | history; and be it further |
17 | RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
18 | transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. |
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LC004790 | |
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