The program's goal was to share little-known facts and inform the diverse audience about some of the many contributions made to American society by African-Americans. For instance, it was noted that the old Negro spirituals sung by the slaves were more than comforting expressions of an abiding faith, they sometimes served as a special form of communication that outsiders could not understand. Through these ditties and dirges, slaves sent messages about the underground railroad or about secret meetings in the woods.

HUD's John Patterson, special guest speaker San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, new GSA Regional Administrator Peter Stamison, and HUD staffer Lillie Zinnerman.		The young men who entertained at the African American History Month event - wearing big, big "naturals" to depict the 70's - are known as "The 100% College Preparatory Club Dancers."

Another little-known fact is that all of the early African American Congressmen and Senators were members of the Republican Party. During the Reconstruction era, 13 of the 22 African Americans elected to Congress were ex-slaves and all were either self taught, or family trained, and included seven lawyers, three ministers, one banker, one publisher, two teachers and three college presidents.

Also not well known is the fact that the first American woman of any race to become a millionaire - through her own efforts - was Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Walker, better known as Madame C. J. Walker, who developed a conditioning treatment for straightening African-Americans' hair.

While few Americans learned about the role of Black Cowboys in traditional American West history lessons, during the 19th Century these rugged and self-sufficient pioneers traveled through and settled in the vast territory west of the Mississippi River, from the Rio Grande along the Mexico border northward to the Canadian border.

The program also explained that the Harlem Renaissance, from 1920 to 1930, was more than a literary movement and more than a social revolt against racism, but actually exalted the uniqueness of African Americans and forever changed the mosaic of Black art and literature in America.

Special guest speaker San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown emphasized the importance and need for organizations such as Blacks in Government. After the program, the participants and guests all shared in a "soul food" luncheon and enjoyed musical entertainment.

The special guest for tomorrow's opening ceremony is Mrs. Kitty Martinez, whose husband Mel Martinez is Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.