WHEREAS, Carter G. Woodson, noted black scholar and historian, founded Black History Week, the second week in February, on February 12, 1926; and
     WHEREAS, In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, Black History Week was expanded and established as Black History Month with the hope that through this special observance all Americans would be reminded of their ethnic roots and develop a mutual respect for the contributions of all racial groups in America; and
     WHEREAS, The month of February is significant and recognized in African-American History for the birthdays of great African-American pioneers and institutions, such as Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Eubie Blake, the NAACP, and the first Pan African Congress; and
     WHEREAS, African-Americans have endured tremendous personal, social, economic, and political injustices since the dawn of their enslavement; and
     WHEREAS, Increasing intercultural exchange and understanding will lead to the healing of all races; and
     WHEREAS, We owe a great deal of gratitude to those who have pioneered the way toward social equality; and
     WHEREAS, One such trailblazer Shirley Chisolm, the first African-American Congresswoman was elected in 1968, sadly passed away last month; and
     WHEREAS, The "unbought and unbossed" Congresswoman will be remembered fondly for her tremendous spirit, activism, honor, ability to inspire others, and her many significant contributions to our nation; and
     WHEREAS, From the beauty and strength of a people suffering an unjust sentence of slavery, to the gains during the abolitionist movement including the 14th Amendment, to a backlash of the oppressive laws of "Jim Crow" which legalized the institutional separation of the races, to the celebration of life and the arts through the Harlem Renaissance, to the numerous and significant gains of freedom by the civil rights movement and agents of change like Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X; and
     WHEREAS, For the immeasurable struggle of the leaders, victims, and silent heroes during these times to end discrimination, hatred, bigotry, and segregation, we are all in debt;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate hereby recognize and appreciate the many benefits of Black History Month to our citizenry and to our culture in general and that we urge all citizens of the State of Washington to join with us in taking the opportunity this month to explore this rich history and bring our nation closer to realizing racial equity; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs and the African-American History Museum in Tacoma, Washington.