Res. No. 694 Title Resolution to support the National Trust for Historical Preservation in its efforts to preserve the home of Carter G. Woodson, one of our country's most illustrious African-Americans. Body By Council Members Barron, Boyland, Clarke, Comrie, Felder, Jackson, Lopez, Nelson, Perkins, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Stewart and Vann Whereas, February, being Black History month, is a time when we proudly celebrate and extol the rich and varied contributions that individuals of African lineage have made to our nation; it is a time when we remember with special gratitude the gifts that members of the black community have made to all aspects of our national life; and Whereas, The idea for an observance honoring the accomplishments of African- Americans led to the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926 and was the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, a distinguished black historian and scholar known as the 'Father of Black History'; and Whereas, The life of Carter G. Woodson is a lesson in perseverance and exemplifies the human spirit of accomplishment: in 1912, Mr. Woodson, the son of former slaves and a native of Virginia, became just the second African-American to earn a Ph.D in History from Harvard University; and Whereas, In 1915, Carter Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History-now the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH)-which he used as a scholarly vehicle to promote both the study and the legitimacy of African American history; in 1916, Mr. Woodson created The Journal of Negro History (which later became the Journal of African American History); and Whereas, Recognizing its national significance in African American cultural heritage, The Carter G. Woodson Home was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 11, 1976; and Whereas, Since then, the Woodson Home has been vacant for several years and is in great need of repair, so much so that the National Trust for Historic Preservation has placed it on a list of most endangered sites, and Congress recently passed legislation to "authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and possibility of designating the Carter G. Woodson Home as a National Historic Site in the District of Columbia; and Whereas, Carter G. Woodson was a man whose noble and noteworthy efforts helped enlighten and educate others about the significant contributions African Americans have made to the United States and the world; and Whereas, The Carter G. Woodson Home not only a significant part of Mr. Woodson's legacy but also plays an important historic role in our national, educational and cultural heritage; it is vital that we do everything within our power to ensure that it is preserved for future generations; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports the National Historic Preservation in its effort to preserve the home of Carter G. Woodson. WA LS#2029 D-Res. # 2/4/03 |10
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