ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 28, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley and the Legislative Black Caucus will host an African American History Month celebration in the State House Rotunda this evening. In honor of African American History Month, the ceremony will honor the major contributions of African American leaders, but also recognize individuals that are helping to expand opportunity in Maryland today.
The ceremony will honor three African American Marylanders, Dr. Tyrone Taborn, Lucille Clifton, and Dr. Henry Brooks, for their contributions to our State, and will honor the late Senator Gwendolyn Britt for her years of public service and commitment to our State.
“Tonight, we will reflect on the hard work and achievements of so many – those like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman and, now, Senator Britt – who have helped us achieve a better future our children, but also celebrate the accomplishments of four individuals in Maryland today who are helping to expand opportunity and improve our quality of life,” said Governor O’Malley.
“Black History is American History,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “I’m proud that so many Marylanders of all races and creeds are drafting our own living history by working to improve the common good.”
“These individuals we are honoring tonight have taken a stand, lived through disappointment, dreamed the impossible dream and succeeded,” said Legislative Black Caucus Chair Senator Verna Jones. “Through them we see that persistence never fails and that it is okay to dream, because dreams do come true.”
During the ceremony, Senator Gwendolyn Britt was honored for her public service as a State Senator representing Prince George’s County, and for her years of civil rights activism. On behalf of the Citizens of Maryland, Governor O’Malley presented the “Celebrating Living History” Award to Senator Britt’s husband, Travis Britt, Sr.
Senator Britt began her political activism career in the 1960’s, and played a large role in the desegregation of Glen Echo Park which sparked 5 days of protests and resulted in the desegregation of the park. Senator Britt was a member of the Non-Violent Action group out of Howard University where she was a student, as well as a Freedom Rider who participated in sit-ins and protests and was jailed for 40 days in Mississippi. She was elected to the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, and the Prince George’s County Board of Election Supervisors. In 2002 she became the State Senator for District 47. She is remembered as a staunch advocate on civil rights issues, including voting rights, health care and gay rights issues.
“It is a pleasure to accept this award from the Governor and the Legislative Black Caucus on my wife’s behalf,” said Travis Britt, Sr., Senator Britt’s husband. “Tonight’s ceremony marks the beginning of her valiant legacy and for that honor our family is eternally grateful.”
Three living African Americans will also be honored at the ceremony, for their contributions to the State of Maryland, including:
Dr. Tyrone Taborn was honored for his contributions to technology in the State of Maryland. Dr. Taborn was a contributing author of The Covenant with Black America, the New York Times bestseller that outlines a national plan of action to address the primary concerns of African Americans today -- from health to housing, from crime to criminal justice, from education to economic parity. Dr. Taborn is the founder of the Black Family Technology week program, which is sponsored by the IBM Corporation. He is the recipient of several technology awards and recognitions.
Ms. Lucille Crofton was honored for her contributions to the literary arts. Ms. Crofton is the author of Good Times, a collection of poetry, and a book that was listed by the New York Times as one of the year’s ten best books. Ms. Clifton also authored Good News About the Earth, An Ordinary Woman, Next: New Poems, Quilting: Poems 1987-1990¸The Terrible Stories, Generations: A Memoir, and Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir. She is also the author of a number of children’s books, expressly written for an African-American audience. She is the recipient of the Charity Randall prize, the Jerome J. Shestack prize, and an Emmy award. In 1988, she became the first author to have two books of poetry chosen as finalists for a Pulitzer Prize.
Dr. Henry M. Brooks was honored for his contributions to Maryland agriculture. Dr. Brooks currently works for Maryland’s Cooperative Extension, a statewide, non-formal education system within the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Under Dr. Brooks’ leadership and vision, Maryland’s Cooperative Extension is not only seamless between its 1890 and 1862 universities, it is unique and serves as a national model that should be emulated by all Land-Grant Institutions. He leads his fellow 1890 Extension Administrators as the expert on youth development. Dr. Brooks believes that in these young people reside America’s future, and works diligently to ensure that all discipline areas within Maryland Cooperative Extension provide programs that engage young people.
The ceremony also included performances by Colours, an ensemble performing arts program based in Prince George’s County, which included singing and a dramatic reading of poetry by Lucille Clifton; a performance by Tobari Fingal; and, a performance by Bowie State University’s choir in honor of Senator Gwendolyn Britt.
February 29, 2008 |
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