Board of Commissioners of Cook County - File #: 16-1538

• File #: 16-1538
• Version: 1
• Name: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
• Type: Consent Calendar Resolution
• Status: Approved
• File created: 2/4/2016
• In control: Board of Commissioners
• On agenda: 2/10/2016
• Final action: 2/10/2016
• Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WHEREAS, Black History Month provides an opportunity for the residents of Cook County to recognize the culture, history and talents of African Americans; and WHEREAS, Black History Month began as "Negro History Week," which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln; and WHEREAS, in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling it a moment for the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Since then, the month of February has been recognized by every President of the United States as Black History Month; and WHEREAS, Cook County's African American population is ...
• Sponsors: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), LUIS ARROYO JR, RICHARD R. BOYKIN, JERRY BUTLER, JOHN P. DALEY, JOHN A. FRITCHEY, BRIDGET GAINER, JESÚS G. GARCÍA, GREGG GOSLIN, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON, JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY, TIMOTHY O. SCHNEIDER, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, ROBERT STEELE, LARRY SUFFREDIN, JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI

Date	Ver.	Action By	Motion	Result
2/10/2016	1	Board of Commissioners	approve	Pass

title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

WHEREAS, Black History Month provides an opportunity for the residents of Cook County to recognize the culture, history and talents of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, Black History Month began as "Negro History Week," which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln; and

WHEREAS, in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling it a moment for the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Since then, the month of February has been recognized by every President of the United States as Black History Month; and

WHEREAS, Cook County's African American population is approximately 1.3 million, making it the county with the largest African-American population in the nation; and

WHEREAS, all residents of Cook County can draw strength and inspiration from the unwavering and steadfast spirit displayed by African Americans in their fight against slavery, segregation, economic oppression and injustice; and

WHEREAS, African Americans have made countless economic, social, cultural and political contributions throughout Cook County, the Land of Lincoln, and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, we must always pay tribute to the heroes of African-American history, and it is important that the people of Cook County observe Black History Month with the highest level of programming, as well as the most enriching ceremonial and educational activities; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County President and the Board of Commissioners honor the numerous trailblazers of Black History, and recognize the many extraordinary acco...