February was Black History Month. The Seal Beach City Council on Feb. 28 approved a resolution commemorating Black History Month.
This was one of the presentations held at the start of the approximately 48-minute council meeting.
The following is the text of the proclamation that District One Councilman/Mayor Joe Kalmick read:
“Whereas, Black History Month started in 1926 when distinguished African American author and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, launched ‘Negro History Week’ to celebrate and showcase the historical contributions of African Americans; and,
“Whereas, Dr. Carter G. Woodson selected the second week of February because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, which had been notable dates for the African American community since the start of the twentieth century; and,
“Whereas, In 1976, it evolved into a month-long celebration and became a national holiday when President Gerald Ford officially labeled the month of February as Black History Month to highlight the contributions that African Americans have made in every field from science, to the arts to politics, and religion; and,
“Whereas, during the month of February, the nation celebrates the vast contributions of African Americans to our nation’s history and identity; and,
“Whereas, The City of Seal Beach aims to recognize the month of February as ‘Black History Month” to recognize and pay tribute to the contributions that African Americans made, and continue to make our nation economically, culturally, spiritually, and politically.
“Now, Therefore, I, Joe Kalmick, Mayor of the City of Seal Beach do hereby proclaim the month of February 2022 as BLACK HISTORY MONTH.in the city of Seal Beach and encourage all residents to join us this month in celebrating the diversity and character of our community and continue working towards the ideals of equality, freedom, opportunity that our great nation represents.”
