“Hello, I’m Congressman Xavier Becerra.  This month, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Black History Month by recognizing the contributions that African Americans have made in our country.    

“From Crispus Attucks, the first person shot and killed by British redcoats during the Boston Massacre, to all of the men and women who are serving on the front lines today.  From Rosa Parks, the 'first lady of civil rights,' to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress.  From Frederick Douglas, a man who escaped slavery to lead the abolitionist movement, to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose 'I Have A Dream' speech inspired a nation to rise up against discrimination. And from the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, to the President of the United States, Barack Obama. The rich legacy of the African American community is one that we can all rejoice in and share as a country.

“I am also especially proud to know that our nation will see a monumental step in ensuring that the African American experience is better enshrined in the story of our nation’s history. I congratulate the wonderful people leading the Smithsonian Institution as they prepare for this month’s ground-breaking ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  I look forward to the day in 2015 when visitors can walk through the museum’s doors to more fully experience our country’s past while also being inspired by what we can become.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate Black History Month and I encourage you to learn more about the contributions of the African American community.

“Thank you.”