WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement today in honor of Black History Month:
"This Black History Month, we celebrate the immense contributions that African Americans have made to our nation, and we honor the struggle for equality and civil rights that black people have made through the generations. New Mexico and America are indebted to the black soldiers, workers, scientists, artists, business people, and many others who have strengthened and enriched our communities, our culture, and our values.
"During Black History Month, we recommit to working for equal opportunity and justice for all. While we celebrate the great strides we've made, we also affirm that black lives matter. As the Declaration of Independence established, we are all created equal, and we must strive to build a nation that truly reflects that belief -- in our neighborhoods, our courthouses, our schools, and the workplace. Communities across New Mexico and our country still face systemic obstacles to a good education and jobs, fair treatment in our criminal justice system, and equal access to the ballot box. This month, as we celebrate the resilience and accomplishments of the African American community, it is incumbent upon all of us to keep marching forward, and working together, to build a more perfect, equal and just nation."
