Hoyer Remarks at the 36th Annual Black History Month Breakfast
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – This morning, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) attended the 36th annual Black History Month breakfast. He was joined by keynote speaker Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Anthony Brown, and hundreds of constituents and community leaders from Maryland's Fifth District. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery.
Opening Remarks
"Thank you. This is one of my favorite events of the year.
"As we join to celebrate Black History Month, we do so at a moment of great uncertainty and unease. Uncertainty about the future in an age where the very foundations of America seem shaky – including the right to vote, the equality of every person under our laws, and the way justice will be carried out. And unease because so much of the progress we've made has suddenly been called into question.
"In no area is this more pronounced than the field of education. The theme of this year's Black History Breakfast is, of course, ‘The Challenges in Black Education and Opportunities in America.' Education and opportunities. The two go hand-in-hand.
"For generations, the number-one path to opportunity and the American dream, to social and economic advancement, has been education. And throughout the eras of Abolition, Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, and the War on Poverty, the emphasis on education has been paramount.
"From dangerous, clandestine lessons to those held as slaves to the founding of schools and colleges for freedmen; from growth of historically black colleges and universities to the modern movements for equity in access – education has been a powerful tool in the fight against inequalities, disparities, and lingering injustices.
"Frederick Douglass, that great native son of Maryland, summed up the case for education better than anyone else: ‘It is far easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.' That Fred Douglass… what a guy. …I hear he's been doing some great things lately and getting recognized more and more.
"In all seriousness, though, Douglass was right: we have a choice.
"We can make further investments in educating our youth today or we will have to face the challenges tomorrow of having failed to do so. But some in our country don't understand that it's not as simple as choosing to make education a priority.
"We have to do it right. We have to listen to those who are on the front lines: the teachers, the parents, the pastors and other community leaders, and the students themselves.
"That was the approach my colleagues and I took when we worked on the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015, which was signed into law by President Obama.
"Led by Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott of Virginia, Democrats brought in stakeholders and advocates to ensure that education funding will reach those who need it most in low-income school districts.
"I also pushed hard to make sure that the law included support for the full-service, community schools model, which we've shown here in Maryland to be very successful at closing the achievement gap. The network of full-service, community schools that we created here in Maryland – the Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Education Centers – is named for my wife, Judy.
"She was an early childhood educator and administrator in Prince George's County schools and dedicated her career to closing the achievement gap so that all our children could reach for success. She would be so proud of what we've accomplished together across our state.
"But there is so much more to be done. Not only in opposing a new federal approach under this Administration that seeks to take funding out of our public schools and abandon equity in education – but also in promoting deeper investment in our education system at all levels.
"We need to protect and expand access to higher education through Pell Grants and affordable loans. The jobs and careers of the twenty-first century increasingly require post-secondary degrees. And we need to make sure that our schools are teaching critical steam skills at every level – that's science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.
"So I'm going to continue working with Ranking Member Scott and with others in the Congressional Black Caucus to fight for policies that promote equal access to quality education and safe, nurturing classrooms where teachers have the resources they need to prepare the next generation for success. And I look forward to continuing our work together here in the Fifth District to do the same."
Introduction of Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressman Anthony Brown
"It is now my great privilege to introduce three outstanding Maryland legislators who are with us today. We have our two United States Senators, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.
"Both are doing a fantastic job of fighting for Marylanders in the United States Senate and standing up for the values we believe in, which are now under assault.
"We also have with us our newest member of Congress from Prince George's County, Rep. Anthony Brown.
"Now, as we say in Congress, I'm going to yield time to them to come up and say a few words. Please join me in welcoming our federal legislators."
Introduction of Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden
"Please, everyone join me once more in thanking Mr. Larry Greenhill for that beautiful performance.
"Now, it is my distinct honor to introduce our keynote speaker.
"On September 14, 2016, Dr. Carla Hayden was sworn in as the fourteenth Librarian of Congress. She is the first African-American to hold that office and the first woman. But she's more than a trailblazer.
"Throughout her life and career, Dr. Hayden has been a powerful advocate for education. In pursuing a career in the library sciences, Dr. Hayden recognizes that libraries and collected knowledge are fundamental to making access to education and opportunity more equal.
"Lady Bird Johnson, former First Lady of the United States, perhaps said it best when she declared: ‘No place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.'
"As a librarian, Dr. Hayden's philosophy has been that libraries ought to be gateways to learning for everyone, both inside and outside the walls of library buildings. That's why she's made it her goal to make more of the Library of Congress's 162 million items available online and to bring innovative programming, including live performances and educational content, to schools around the country.
"And Dr. Hayden comes to her role with a wealth of experience, having previously been CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore and President of the American Library Association. Earlier, she served with the Chicago Public Library System and taught library sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
"For ten years, she worked in library services at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry – one of the really fantastic science museums in the country.
"Dr. Hayden holds degrees in Library Sciences from Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago.
"Please join me in welcoming her here today as our keynote speaker."
Acknowledgements
"Thank you, Dr. Hayden. We are so blessed to have you with us and to have you as our nation's chief librarian.
"I'm pleased to present you now with a copy of this year's Black History Month poster from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. This year's poster features artwork created by students from Suitland High School in conjunction with the Prince George's County Parks and Recreation Department. It depicts a history of black sacred music traditions.
"Before I turn the floor over to Ms. Ivana Alexander to lead us in ‘Lift Ev'ry Voice and sing,' I want to take a moment and acknowledge some special individuals who are with us. We heard from Dr. Hayden, Sen. Cardin, Sen. Van Hollen, and Rep. Brown. I want to thank all of them again for taking the time to be with us today for this celebration.
"I also want to thank Betty Richardson and the entire Planning Committee.
"Please also give a hand to Cheverly City Councilwoman Maurielle Stewart, who emcee-ed this morning's program. She used to work in my Congressional office, and it's been wonderful watching her continue serving the people of our District in a number of different capacities.
"Our musical performers: Ms. Ivana Alexander, Mr. Larry Greenhill, and the sounds of Joshua Community Praise Choir – please give them a round of applause. They brought such wonderful spirit to the day's celebration.
"And our clergy – Rev. Frazier and Rev. Swanson. Thank you for adding to our experience of this day.
"And to the students at High Point High School who carried our nation's colors – thank you for your patriotism and your hard work in school and in the community.
"I also want to mention someone else who is here today: my good friend Chuck Lewis. Chuck has been a leader and role model in the community for many, many years. Though he retired from the government printing office and has since moved down to North Carolina, he still comes back every years for our Black History Breakfast and maintains very strong ties throughout the community. Thank you, Chuck.
"And thanks to everyone who is here today not only to celebrate Black History Month but to continue writing the story of black history together here in Maryland. I'm proud to serve you in the Congress, and I look forward to continuing our work together in the months and years ahead as we seek to make our union a more perfect one. Thank you."