Black history Legislation - Federal Government

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes: (1) the historic accomplishments of the Mare Island Original 21ers in combating employment discrimination against African-American shipyard workers; (2) the importance of the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity as a forerunner to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); and (3) the importance of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes that African American spirituals are a poignant and powerful genre of music that have become one of the most significant segments of American music in existence. Encourages the people of the United States to reflect on the important contribution of African-American spirituals to U.S. history and to recognize the African-American spiritual as a national treasure.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important time to recognize the contributions of Black Americans in the nation's history.

Encourages the continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the nation.

Affirms that: (1) the contributions of Black Americans are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and (2) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the nation.

Declares that Marcus Mosiah Garvey (founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association): (1) was innocent of the charges brought against him by the U.S. government; and (2) should be recognized internationally as a leader and thinker in the struggle for human rights and dignity.

Calls upon the President to endeavor to restore Garvey's honor and good name by granting him a full posthumous pardon that proclaims his conviction to have been unjust and affirms his innocence.

Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act - Establishes the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans to examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies.

Expresses the sense of Congress that Arthur Schomburg should be recognized for his leadership and contributions in documenting, recording, and researching the historical contributions to society of people of African descent and for his efforts to combat racial and ethnic discrimination in the United States.

Recognizes the contributions of the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in educating the people of the United States about the African-American migration experience.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes that African American spirituals are a poignant and powerful genre of music that have become one of the most significant segments of American music in existence; (2) expresses the deepest gratitude, recognition, and honor to the former enslaved Africans in the United States for their gifts to our nation, including their original music and oral history; and (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation that reflects on the important contribution of African American spirituals to American history, and naming the African American spiritual a national treasure.

Commends Langston Golf Course in Washington, D.C., its general management, and the Royal Golf and Wake Robin Golf Clubs for their historical and ongoing contributions to the local community and the nation.

Calls for the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior to give appropriate consideration to such park's future budget needs.

Recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of service as a cultural ambassador of the United States to the world, during which it has provided world-class American modern dance to people across the globe.

Recognizes that: (1) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been a true pioneer in the world of dance by establishing an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people while using the beauty and humanity of African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people; and (2) Ailey II (the Ailey School) and the extensive and innovative Arts in Education and Community Programs train future generations of dancers and choreographers while exposing young people to the arts.

Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission to plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, and to carry out other specified duties.

Directs the National Endowment for the Humanities to award grants for appropriate activities relating to the Civil War sesquicentennial, and to consider for such grants university, museum, or academic programs with national scope that sponsor multidisciplinary projects, including those that concentrate on the role of African Americans in the Civil War.

Recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) for 50 years of service as a cultural ambassador of the United States to the world, by bringing world-class American modern dance to people around the globe.

Recognizes that: (1) AAADT has been a true pioneer in the world of dance by establishing an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs to all people while using the beauty and humanity of African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people; and (2) Ailey II (the Ailey School) and the extensive and innovative Arts in Education and Community Programs of AAADT train future generations of dancers and choreographers while exposing young people to the arts.

Black Metropolis District National Heritage Area Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating the Black Metropolis District in Chicago, Illinois, as the Black Metropolis District National Heritage Area.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in the nation's history.

Encourages the continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity for all peoples of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the nation.

Recognizes that the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the nation.

Calls for: (1) the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior to develop a comprehensive plan to upgrade the Langston Golf Course and enhance future annual budgets for such park; and (2) the Director to assess and designate a museum within the park to commemorate the history of this golf, recreational, and instructional African-American sports institution as a unique part of the National Park System.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse in Farmington, New York, as well as the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System (NPS) as part of the Women's Rights National Historical Park.