Senator Reverend Warnock, Georgia’s first Black Senator and the 11th Black Senator in U.S. history, celebrates and honors Black Americans’ immense contributions to the nation
ICYMI—Senator Reverend Warnock on Atlanta’s The Big Tigger Show: “Black history is American history. We have to keep telling that story” – LISTEN HERE
Senator Reverend Warnock in new video message: “I don’t think of Black History Month as a way of limiting Black history to one month. Indeed, it cannot be contained. Rather, Black History Month is a way of accentuating in February the history we live with deep love and sometimes through intense struggle. But we live that history every single day” – WATCH VIDEO HERE
Washington D.C. — U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Georgia’s first Black Senator and only the 11th Black Senator in U.S. history, is celebrating and honoring Black Americans’ contributions to the state and nation, in commemoration of Black History Month, observed every February.
On Wednesday morning, the Senator appeared on Atlanta radio station V103’s The Big Tigger Show, where he reiterated his commitment to fighting for all Americans and reflected on the importance of honoring Black American’s contributions to the nation’s history.
“Black history is American history, and we have to keep telling that story,” said Senator Reverend Warnock on The Big Tigger Show. “We can’t allow people to push back and marginalize Black history. And while we lift it up in February, it is something that we celebrate every single day. I am honored to be a part of that.”
Listen to Senator Warnock’s full interview with The Big Tigger Show HERE.
In addition, Senator Warnock kicked-off the month-long Black History Month celebration by releasing a video message Wednesday celebrating and honoring Black Americans’ contributions to the state and nation.
“I don’t think of Black History Month as a way of limiting Black history to one month,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Indeed, it cannot be contained. Rather, Black History Month is a way of accentuating in February the history we live with deep love and sometimes through intense struggle. But we live that history every single day.”
“I’m just an ordinary kid, after all, who grew up in public housing. And look where I am right now. Black history for me is about every single day. And I’m still in awe that I am here in the Senate with this amazing opportunity to represent all the people of Georgia, all the people of Georgia for six more years. And I’m dedicated to making sure that we make good on the American promise that anything is possible,” continued Senator Warnock.
The full video can be viewed HERE and the full transcript can be found below:
“Well, hello, my friends, and happy Black History Month.
“It’s so important to realize that Black history is American history.
“W.E.B. Dubois, that towering intellectual of the 20th century, said it best when he said, “Where would America be without its Negro people?”
“That sentiment applies to the sciences, the arts, faith, athletics and architecture and a whole range of human disciplines where Black Americans have made tremendous contributions to our nation and indeed to the world.
“Sometimes, despite the hate and roadblocks that they encountered from their fellow citizens.
“So I don’t think of Black History Month as a way of limiting Black history to one month. Indeed, it cannot be contained. Rather, Black History Month is a way of accentuating in February the history we live with deep love and sometimes through intense struggle. But we live that history every single day.
“And I think that’s good. I think it’s good for all of our children, all of our children, to recognize the ways in which all of us have contributed in various ways to this grand democratic experiment we call America.
“Where would America be without its Negro people?
“Indeed, my life is a testament to that grand American experiment, to people who kept the faith in the face of vast odds.
“I think often of my dad, a World War II veteran, God bless his memory.
“He once had to give up his seat on the bus while wearing his soldier’s uniform, to a young white teenager.
“And yet he kept the faith, I think, of other Black service members who often denied the service benefits they so rightly deserved.
“I think also of my mother, who as a teen used to pick somebody else’s cotton, but during the last election cycle and the one before that, she got to pick her youngest son to be a United States senator.
“And so I’m just an ordinary kid, after all, who grew up in public housing. And look where I am right now.
“Black history for me is about every single day.
“And I’m still in awe that I am here in the Senate with this amazing opportunity to represent all the people of Georgia, all the people of Georgia for six more years.
“And I’m dedicated to making sure that we make good on the American promise that anything is possible. At least that’s what my mother told me. And I believed her.
“And so to that end, I’m focused not simply on making history, but more importantly, making a difference.
“That’s why I fought so hard to secure robust funding for our historically Black colleges and universities that for so long have been punching way above their weight.
“And thanks to my advocacy insulin costs are now capped at $35 a month for Medicare patients, and prescription drug costs for seniors will soon be more affordable.
“I’m proud of the work that I’ve done to secure critical investments that will strengthen Georgia’s infrastructure, help support and create jobs.
“All across our state, and improve mobility for all.
“And I believe that all farmers, the people who are literally and answer to our prayer, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ They put food on our tables, and they deserve a fair shot at success.
“And it is why I was so proud to help ensure that all of our small farmers in Georgia and across the nation, including Black farmers, are getting the federal support they need to compete and to thrive in our global economy.
“I’ve been in the trenches for a long time, and now that I’m in the Senate, I’m fighting to protect the sacred right to vote for every eligible American.
“And I’m not about to let some cynical politician deter me from this fight. We must secure voting rights, no matter what. It’s our sacred obligation.
“As I walk the halls of the Senate, I think often of Dr. King, and I’m inspired every day by his mission to create the Beloved Community.
“And as we celebrate Black History Month this February, know that I am working with you towards Dr. King’s goal.
“Thank God for the people who kept the faith even in the midst of the darkness.
“Happy Black History Month, everybody!
“Keep the faith. Keep fighting and keep looking up.”
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