HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-4701
HR 4701
By Representatives Donaghy, Street, Taylor, Reeves, Thomas, Reed, Rude, Dent, Connors, Marshall, Steele, Schmidt, Waters, Griffey, Eslick, Penner, McClintock, Low, Dye, Manjarrez, Volz, Stokesbary, Stuebe, Jacobsen, Engell, Walsh, Burnett, Ley, Mendoza, Graham, Abbarno, Orcutt, Keaton, Klicker, and Corry
WHEREAS, 2026 marks the centennial of celebrating Black History across the nation and in Washington state; and
WHEREAS, Historian Dr. Carter Woodson worked to establish Negro History Week in 1926, and President Gerald Ford expanded the celebration of Black accomplishments to all of February in 1976; and
WHEREAS, While Dr. Woodson would not live to experience the adoption of Black History Month, his own contributions, expertise, and advocacy have been invaluable in continuing to expand recognition of the contributions of Black Americans to this state and nation; and
WHEREAS, Much of the history of Black Americans can be viewed through the lens of the long, hard struggle to reconcile the reality of slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation with the words and ideals written in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, 2026 is the year in which we look back on 100 years of celebration and recognition of Black history, contributions, culture, and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, The 1920s delivered the Golden Age of Jazz led by Black musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith with their driving rhythms, rich voices, clear instruments, captivating music, and compelling dance; and
WHEREAS, The 1930s saw Black American led advancements in agricultural science with the work of George Washington Carver, personal care and beauty due to the ingenuity of Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, Marjorie Joyner, and so many others determined to make the lives of all just a bit easier; and
WHEREAS, The 1940s "Great Migration" swelled the Black population in Washington with the promise of wartime jobs and opportunity, but not without crowding, discrimination, housing inequities, and segregation; and
WHEREAS, The 1950s experienced a rise in the civil rights movement in Washington as Black Washingtonians became the largest minority population in the Puget Sound area, and stood up to demand equal treatment; and