Better late than never

The Ohio Senate today unanimously passed a bill that officially designates February as Black History Month.

The bill was first introduced by State Sen. Eric H. Kearney, D-North Avondale, during the last legislative session in January 2006, but stalled in the Ohio House.

Senate Bill 26 would make Ohio the fourth state to statutorily recognize Black History Month.

"It is only fitting that Ohio, a state that has contributed so much to the history of African-Americans, should recognize this important event," Kearney said.

John Fleming, vice president of museums at the Cincinnati Museum Center, and Dr. Charles O. Dillard, military general, physician and philanthropist, testified in support of the bill during the last session.

Eighty-one years ago, Harvard scholar Carter G. Woodson created Black History Month in an effort to bring Black History into the mainstream public arena.

Senate Bill 26 now goes to Ohio House for its consideration.