Congressman Danny K. Davis recognizes A Philip Randolph during Black History Month

I am Congressman Danny K Davis from Chicago and I am proud to acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month.

This year my focus is on A Philip Randolph, whom I call an unsung hero who was an outstanding organizer. He organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters the first predominately African American labor union. In the early civil rights movement, he led the march on Washington movement which convinced President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802 in 1941, banning discrimination in the defense industries during World War II and then the group successfully pressured President Harry S. Truman to issue Executive Order 9981 ending segregation in the Armed Services. A Philip Randolph was an extraordinary organizer and truly an unsung hero who deserves to be recognized for his contributions in the African American community.