Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Curt Ritter (212) 788-2971
MAYOR GIULIANI CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
Salutes Taylor Brothers For Their Dedicated Service To The United States
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today celebrated "African American History Month" in New York City at a ceremony and reception at the Surrogate's Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. During the ceremony the Mayor recognized the extraordinary contributions that five African American brothers have made to New York City and to the Nation. The Mayor paid special tribute to the Taylor brothers—Alton, Dona, Luther, Wilbur and Moses—for their valiant service to the United States during World War II.
The Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, Director of Veterans Affairs Michael Handy, the Reverend John Brandon of The United Methodist Church New York Conference, and David Short, who performed musical selections during the ceremony.
"It's wonderful to join together today to celebrate this month-long tribute to the history and heritage of African Americans and to recognize the many contributions and achievements they have made," said Mayor Giuliani. "Every February, New York reflects on and celebrates the many contributions that New Yorkers of different ethnic and racial backgrounds have made to our City. Among those that we can proudly claim are Shirley Chisholm, the Brooklynite who in 1969 became the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress; Reginald Lewis, Chairman and CEO of the New York City-based company T.L.C. Beatrice; and General Colin Powell, of 'America's Promise—the Alliance for Youth.'
"Today, we thank our public heroes like Dr. Martin Luther King and our private ones, those who are the true backbone of our communities, and our lives," the Mayor continued. "It is in this spirit that today we honor the Taylor brothers—Alton, Dona, Luther, Wilbur and Moses—for their courageous service to our country in World War II and then, upon their return, to the City of New York—as proud civil servants, husbands, and fathers. They were raised to understand the meaning of duty, and they have clearly passed on their precious values to the next generation," the Mayor concluded.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926 to recognize the legacy of African Americans. It was Dr. Woodson's wish that all Americans would be reminded of their ethnic roots and would develop a mutual respect for people of diverse backgrounds. The month of February was chosen because it was the month in which Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born.
In 1976, the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History changed the name to Black History Month and expanded the week-long celebration to an entire month.