HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4623, by Representatives Lovick, Pennington, Chopp, Ballard, Kessler, Tokuda, Ogden, Ruderman, Radcliff, Veloria, McIntire, Conway, Santos, Wensman, D. Schmidt, Grant, Dickerson, Wolfe, Constantine, Hatfield, Pflug, Skinner, Dunn, Linville, Thomas and Hankins

       WHEREAS, Each year February marks the national observance of African American History Month to celebrate the significant contributions of Americans of African ancestry to the history of our great nation; and

       WHEREAS, It is to the benefit of all Americans to honor those who have come before us; and

       WHEREAS, Carter G. Woodson, the father of African American History Month, through his research left us with a written record of the presence of millions of Americans whose ancestors have been on the continent of North America since before the Mayflower; and

       WHEREAS, Carter G. Woodson founded this month so that Americans of African ancestry could be honored for the many accomplishments which would otherwise go unnoticed in the mainstream textbooks and historical celebrations of United States history; and

       WHEREAS, For more than 300 years as part of an established system of slavery and human bondage, they toiled and survived, and then overcame the degradation and shame of this system to become contributors at every level of our public and private endeavors; and

       WHEREAS, The desire to succeed and contribute to America caused African Americans to defy racial hostility, Jim Crow Laws, and economic and social injustices; and

       WHEREAS, This willingness to succeed and the love for their country has left a positive impact on American culture and society in areas of education, medicine, industry, the military, religion, social sciences, philosophy, agriculture, engineering, and the arts; and

       WHEREAS, African Americans continue to contribute widely to the attainment of peace, equality, and justice, and all Americans deserve to know of all the great moments and accomplishments of African Americans; and

       WHEREAS, George Washington Bush was the first African American to serve in the Washington Territorial Legislature, and Representatives Charles Stokes and Marjorie Pitter King were the first African American man and woman to serve in the legislature following the proclamation of Washington statehood; and Charles Z. Smith was the first African American to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court; and

       WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature has had among its elected African American Representatives and Senators, Sam Smith, Michael Ross, Peggie Joan Maxie, George Fleming, Bill Smitherman, Jesse Wineberry, Vivian Caver, Rosa Franklin, Dawn Mason, and John Lovick; and

       WHEREAS, There have been major contributions made to Washington State history by African American citizens including:  Civil rights leader Edwin T. Pratt; poet Mona Lake Jones; artists Jacob Lawrence and James Washington; historian Esther Mumford; and musicians Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, and Jimi Hendrix; and

       WHEREAS, Washington is a beautiful state, and America is a proud nation due to our recognition of the contributions made by many diverse ethnic populations and because of our ability to work together as a state dependent upon international peace, harmony, and cooperation;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize February 1999, as African American History Month, in recognition of Americans of African descent who have contributed to America, a nation in which we take great pride.

              I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

              Resolution 4623 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                 February 5, 1999.

________________________________                      _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk                     Dean R. Foster Co-Chief Clerk