LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 2015 as Black History Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Black History Month, previously known as Negro History Week,
was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and was first celebrated on Febru-
ary 1, 1926; since 1976, it has become a nationally recognized month-
long celebration, held each year during the month of February to
acknowledge and pay tribute to African-Americans neglected by both soci-
ety and the history books; and
WHEREAS, The month of February observes the rich and diverse heritage
of our great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month seeks to emphasize Black History is Amer-
ican History; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and
victories of African-Americans throughout our country's history and to
recognize their numerous valuable contributions to the protection of our
democratic society in war and in peace; and
WHEREAS, Some African-American pioneers whose many accomplishments,
all which took place during the month of February, went unnoticed as
well as numerous symbolic events in February, that deserve to be memori-
alized include: John Sweat Rock, a noted Boston lawyer who became the
first African-American admitted to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court
on February 1, 1865, and the first African-American to be received on
the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives; Jonathan Jasper Wright,
the first African-American to hold a major judicial position, who was
elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court on February 1, 1870; Presi-
dent Abraham Lincoln submits the proposed 13th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, abolishing slavery, to the states for ratification on
February 1, 1865; civil rights protester Jimmie Lee Jackson dies from
wounds inflicted during a protest on February 26, 1965, leading to the
historic Selma, Alabama civil rights demonstrations, including Bloody
Sunday in which 600 demonstrators, including Martin Luther King, Jr.
were attacked by police; Autherine J. Lucy became the first African-Am-
erican student to attend the University of Alabama on February 3, 1956,
she was expelled three days later "for her own safety" in response to
threats from a mob; in 1992, Autherine Lucy Foster graduated from the
University with a Master's degree in Education, the same day her daugh-
ter, Grazia Foster, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Corporate
Finance; the Negro Baseball League was founded on February 3, 1920; Jack
Johnson, the first African-American World Heavyweight Boxing Champion,
won his first title on February 3, 1903; and Reginald F. Lewis, born on
December 7, 1942, in Baltimore, Maryland, received his law degree from
Harvard Law School in 1968, and was a partner in Murphy, Thorpes &
Lewis, the first Black law firm on Wall Street, and in 1989, he became
President and CEO of TLC Beatrice International Food Company, the larg-
est Black-owned business in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the vast contributions of African-Ameri-
cans, a joyful month-long celebration is held across New York State and
across the United States with many commemorative events to honor and
display the cultural heritage of African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body commends the African-American community
for preserving, for future generations, its centuries-old traditions
that benefit us all and add to the color and beauty of the tapestry
which is our American society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2015 as Black
History Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and to the events commemorating Black History Month throughout New
York State.