H.R. 1242 Resilience Project

Albany (June 19, 2019) - The New York State Assembly voted 111 to 0 in support of A7667, which creates 400 years of African American History Commission. The bill was introduced by  Assemblywoman Taylor Raynor. The Senate version of the bill, S3204 was introduced by State Senator Leroy Comrie and passed swiftly in the Senate. 

The bill now sits on Governor Andrew Cuomo desk awaiting signature. The language of the bill is similar to H.R. 1242, but highlights the contributions of African Americans to New York State. This progressive legislation was supported passionately from the Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Brooklyn (June 13, 2019) -  After visiting the administrative offices of Brooklyn Bridge Park, H.R. 1242 President, Don Victor Mooney walked along Brooklyn waterfront to Brooklyn Historical Society Museum at Dumbo. The museum showcases a exhibition and multimedia experience that brings to life the vibrant history of Brooklyn’s coastline through stories of workers, artists, industries, activists, families, neighborhoods, and ecosystems for visitors of all ages. 

Founded in 1863, the Brooklyn Historical Society is a nationally recognized urban history center dedicated to preserving and encouraging the study of Brooklyn's 400-year history. 

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) -  In the corridors of Congress, H.R. 1242 President, Don Victor Mooney shared a moment with  a co-sponsor of H.R. 1242 Bill and long time supporter, Congressman Gregory Meeks. Don Victor Mooney also made courtesy call visits to congressional offices of Peter King, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Maxine Waters and Jerry Nadler.

After visiting the Office of Congresswoman Karen Bass, who also leads the Congressional Black Caucus, Don Victor Mooney attended a hearing on the Ebola crisis that the Congresswoman chaired.

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) - After concluding his research at National Museum of African-American History and Culture, Don Victor Mooney, President of H.R. 1242 Resilience Project was received by Congressman John Lewis in his office. Congressman Lewis was one of the featured speakers during the opening of the museum.

The Congressman accepted the invitation to attend the 400 year commemoration event at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Congressman Lewis was a strong supporter of Don Victor Mooney's transatlantic row and he also signed his oars on a previous visit.

Often called  "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community” in America.  His dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral principles has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress.

He has been called "the conscience of the U.S. Congress,” and Roll Call magazine has said, "John Lewis…is a genuine American hero and moral leader who commands widespread respect in the chamber.” Congressman Lewis has remained at the vanguard of progressive social movements and the human rights struggle in the United States.

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) - The National Museum of African-American History and Culture  above-ground floors are filled with exhibits documenting African-American communities and black contributions to all aspects of American culture, including education, business, visual and performing arts, and sports. 

The extensive sports exhibit on the third floor is dotted with statues of Jackie Robinson sliding into home plate, Michael Jordan hitting a fadeaway jump shot, Serena and Venus Williams in a doubles match, and John Carlos, Tommie Smith, and Australian runner Peter Norman’s protest at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

H.R. 1242 Resilience Project left the National Museum of African-American History and Culture with a plethora of information to strengthen the 400 years of African-American History commemoration at New York's Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) - The National Museum of African American History and Culture shares the history of cotton. King Cotton was a phrase coined in the years before the Civil War to refer to the economy of the American South. The southern economy was particularly dependent on cotton. And, as cotton was very much in demand, both in America and Europe, it created a special set of circumstances.

Great profits could be made by growing cotton. But as most of the cotton was being picked by enslaved people, the cotton industry was essentially synonymous with slavery. And by extension, the thriving textile industry, which was centered on mills in northern states as well as in England, was inextricably linked to the institution of American slavery.

The bankers, brokers, and shippers were all in New York City. The largest storage warehouses for cotton were in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The New York Warehousing Company was the only Brooklyn company to specialize in storing only cotton. Other stores, such as the German-American Stores nearby, also stored cotton, but they stored other merchandise, too. NYWC had three piers, all with enormous storage warehouses.

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) - The National Museum of African-American History and Culture told the story of what fueled the demand for slaves. The basic answer was free labor to exploit the production of cotton, sugar, tobbacco and to cultivate the land for agriculture.

One these commodities was sugar and Brooklyn waterfront became the refinery capital. Ships delivered sugar cane from across the world to the original American Sugar Refinery Company in Brooklyn. 

Numerous companies established factories and storage centers for these commodities along Brooklyn waterfront, which created the greatest center of sugar refining in the world at that point in time. By 1870, more than half of the sugar consumed in the entire country was refined there.

 Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) - The National Museum of African-American History and Culture detailed very clearly the role of northern states during slave period. While much is noted about the plantations and exploitation of enslaved Africans in the South, the museum shared a deep education on the North's proliferation of this period.

New York's waterfront, with it's vast port and storage centers, played a significant role during the slave trade and years afterwards. Some of this was brought to life in paintings, drawings, and storytelling by curators at the museum. 

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) -  The National Museum of African-American History and Culture exhibits chronicled the slave experieance from the slave dungeons in West Africa, the Middle Passage (a term used to describe the sea voyage of enslaved Africans to the Americas's), and to the life of servitude.

Starting from the lowel levels of the museum and walking up, the museum gave life to the world enslaved Africans endured. While slavery was the cruelest form against humanity, the exhibit gave the public a sense of conviction to never forget and not to let this form of bondage every to rise again. 

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2019) - H.R. 1242 Resilience Project President, Don Victor Mooney travelled to the nations capital in pursuit of research in commemorating the 400 years of African American History event at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. His research brought him to National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

New York (June 3, 2019) - H.R. 1242 Resilience Project President, Don Victor Mooney recieved the support from Mrs. Adams, the mother of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for the 400 years of African American History. Don Victor Mooney assured Mrs. Adams that she will have a front row seat at the event.

During Don Victor Mooney's audience with Mrs. Adams, he was alerted witha text that the New York State Senate passed S3204, which calls to establishing the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. The bill was introtuced by New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. 

Don Victor Mooney made a visit to Albany in an effort to move this bill foward. He walk the corridors of Albany and met with key legislators. The assembly version of the bill is currently in committee and it's expected to be voted on soon.