As prepared for delivery. The speaker may add or subtract comments during his presentation.

Hello, everyone. Welcome!

I'd like to thank the members of the Robert C. Weaver chapter of Blacks in Government for organizing this great event, and all the members of the HUD family who are joining us to celebrate Black History Month. And thank you to everyone lending their talents to this wonderful event.

I'd also like to thank Dr. Krewasky Salter for coming down the Mall from the National Museum of African-American History and Culture and sharing his knowledge.

Today, we particularly focus on the inspiring legacy of Black Americans who have served in our armed forces throughout history, often fighting for their country before the whole country began fighting for them.

From the First Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War, to the Harlem Hellfighters, in WWI, to the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII, these brave Americans offered up their lives to protect flag and family.

Their heroism struck the conscience of each generation-every time, turning millions of hearts toward equality and brotherly love, and away from division and prejudice. They fought for freedom, at home and abroad, at the same time.

The struggle at home, from slavery to civil rights, often went arm in arm with demands for decent, safe housing, lacked by millions. Many of our initiatives, from Fair Housing to Healthy Homes, carry this legacy onward.

So many went above and beyond the call of duty back then-as many thousands of men and women continue to do in our armed forces.

Without them all, so many of us could not be here, doing our duty to our country and communities today.

That's why we do so much to care for veterans in our work-from our fight to end veterans' homelessness to protecting our nation's heroes from predatory lending practices. And it's why we honor the many veterans who work side-by-side with us at HUD every day.

This month, we will give thanks and celebrate the lives of Black Americans who changed the face of our nation over the centuries-who made American history our history.

And if we all can summon the same strength and goodwill in our day to day lives, in our work, and prayer, and homes, we will continue to make history, and build a better future for our own families and all our countrymen.

Thank you.

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