HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2026, AS "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2026, AS "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" IN THE STATE
OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Hull, Stewart, Alzate, Felix, Batista, Morales,
Chippendale, Giraldo, Shekarchi, and Blazejewski

Date Introduced:
February 03, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Throughout the history of the United States of America, truly significant
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African American contributions to the economy, social growth, sciences, and arts in this great
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nation have all too often been ignored. In recognition of this plethora of major accomplishments
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made by men and women of African ancestry, the month of February is celebrated as "Black
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History Month" across the nation; and
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WHEREAS, It is vital to understand that every day of every month of every year in the
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history of our country, significant and historical contributions have been made by African
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Americans; and
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WHEREAS, African Americans were first brought to America forcibly. They were
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enslaved, faced inhuman cruelty, and were subjected to injustices beyond understanding. Families
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were torn apart, lynching went unpunished, and segregation and denial of fundamental
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constitutional rights and protections went on for decades; and
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WHEREAS, Though these men and women suffered immense tragedies and social
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inequalities, they also persevered, and their triumphs and contributions to the economic, artistic,
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literary, scientific, and technological advancement of our country are significant and momentous;
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and
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WHEREAS, African Americans have been an integral part of Rhode Island's social,
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political, and economic development from its beginning as a British colony, to its inclusion in the
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formation of the United States, to the rich diversity of today's Ocean State; and

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WHEREAS, From the initial shots fired in the struggle for American Independence, to
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the participation of the Rhode Island 1st Black Regiment in the Battle of Newport, to the garrisons
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of the Rhode Island 14th Heavy Artillery Regiment (Colored) in 1863, Americans of African
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descent have responded to the call of duty; and
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WHEREAS, In recognition of the numerous positive and patriotic contributions of
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African American Rhode Islanders in the United States military, we honor their legacy of
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bravery, honor, and sacrifice. From the earliest recordation of Black History in our state,
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including those of slaves, former slaves, and free men, African Americans have served with pride
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to protect our vital interests and provide for our common defense; and
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WHEREAS, Structures in the City of Newport, such as the Brick Market, later used as
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the town hall and theater; the Old Colony House, which at one time served Rhode Island as its
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capitol; and the oldest library in America, the Redwood Library, stand as lasting and beautiful
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tributes to the African Americans who lived in our state and played a major role in the
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construction of these magnificent historic structures; and
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WHEREAS, Many African Americans have made enormous and significant contributions
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to our nation, from Dr. Martin Luther King, whose eloquent and courageous actions on behalf of
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freedom and liberty for all earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and started our nation on the long
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and all-too-slow path towards equality for all, and President Barack Obama our nation's first
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African American President, who continued and expanded upon Dr. King's vision through his
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support for expanding healthcare access for everyone, diversified the federal bureaucracy,
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strengthened women's right to fair pay, and protected LGBTQ+ citizens from employment
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discrimination; and
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WHEREAS, Other African Americans who have contributed much to our nation's
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vibrancy and success include Maya Angelou, the noted poet, civil rights activist, and recipient of
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the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President
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Barack Obama, famed novelist James Baldwin, famous inventor George Washington Carver,
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Civil Rights activist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune, Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, the
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first African American to run for President of the United States, noted author and abolitionist
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Frederick Douglass, Doctor Charles Drew, whose research and work on plasma literally saved
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millions of lives, famous sociologist, writer and activist W.E.B. Du Bois, noted jazz composer
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and bandleader Duke Ellington, Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson, film director Spike Lee,
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famed actors Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington, the great Hall of Fame baseball player
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Jackie Robinson, who courageously faced down death threats to integrate Major League Baseball,
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famous boxers and American heroes Joe Louis and Muhammed Ali, Supreme Court Justices

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Thurgood Marshall, who, as a lawyer, won the famous Brown v. Board of Education public
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school desegregation case before the United States Supreme Court, and Ketanji Brown Jackson,
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the first African American woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, photographer Gordon
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Parks, Olympic heroes Jesse Owens and Rafer Johnson, Abolition activists Sojourner Truth and
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Harriet Tubman, and noted educator, Civil Rights activist Booker T. Washington, golf legend
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Tiger Woods, tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams and numerous other African
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Americans; and
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WHEREAS, The United States and particularly the State of Rhode Island owe a debt of
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gratitude to our African American citizens and their forefathers, whose documented achievements
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have too long gone unrecognized; and
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WHEREAS, The 2026 Black History month theme is "A Century of Black History
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Commemorations", marks the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month's formal establishment,
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and focusses "on the history and impact of these celebrations in transforming Black lives and
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culture"; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proudly proclaims February of 2026 as "Black History Month", and furthermore recognizes and
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applauds the sacrifices and myriad contributions made by African American men and women
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throughout this great nation's history; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.
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