WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today unanimously approved of a resolution authored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) commemorating Black History Month.  U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) is an original cosponsor of the measure.

Prior to Senate approval of S.Res.88, Cochran and Booker addressed the Senate to praise the contributions African Americans have made in education, politics, arts, sports, literature, science, and technology despite centuries of systemic racial discrimination.

“This resolution gives us another opportunity to not only remember past injustice and to celebrate victories over it, but to also commemorate achievements being made today throughout our country to ensure equality, justice and opportunity for Americans,” Cochran said.

“I am pleased that the Senate acted quickly to pass this bipartisan resolution recognizing Black History Month,” Wicker said. “It is important to commemorate the countless contributions that African Americans have made to our country. Heroes such as Fredrick Douglass, Fannie Lou Hamer, Hiram Revels, Medgar Evers, and Aaron Shirley should continue to inspire us to fight for freedom and equality.”

Other cosponsors of the Booker-Cochran resolution include Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kelly Ayotte R-N.H., Richard Burr R-N.C., Ben Cardin D-Md., Chris Coons D-Del., Richard Durbin D-Ill., Dianne Feinstein D-Calif., Johnny Isakson R-Ga., Jeff Merkley D-Ore., Lisa Murkowski R-Alaska, Chris Murphy D-Conn., Patty Murray D-Wash., Rand Paul R-Ky., Rob Portman R-Ohio, David Purdue R-Ga., Debbie Stabenow D-Mich., and Thom Tillis R-N.C.