Montgomery County senator spotlights Rosenwald schools during Black History Month
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Summary
On Feb. 27 a Montgomery County senator used personal privilege on the Senate floor to describe Julius Rosenwald's partnership with Booker T. Washington and urged preservation of Rosenwald schools, saying Rosenwald helped build more than 5,300 schools nationwide and that 156 were built in Maryland.
On the Senate floor Friday, the senator from Montgomery County used a point of personal privilege to highlight the history and preservation needs of Rosenwald schools, noting the philanthropic partnership between Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington.
"He built more than 5,300 schools across the South," the senator said, noting that 156 Rosenwald schools were built in Maryland across roughly 20 counties and that about 50 remain. The senator said the schools operated historically from 1918 to 1958 and called preservation of remaining structures a priority for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The senator listed Rosenwald school locations across many legislative districts and said a documentary, Rosenwald, will be screened as part of preservation and educational efforts; the senator also described an associated benefit Scrabble tournament taking place in a Rosenwald school. The remarks were offered near the end of the floor session during Black History Month and were framed as an educational history and preservation appeal rather than a legislative proposal.
The senator said the remarks were intended to raise colleagues' awareness about local historic sites in their districts and encouraged support for preservation efforts led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local stakeholders.
The floor also heard a protocol announcement that Read Across America Day on March 3 will include an appearance by Clifford the Big Red Dog and the presiding officer thanked Senate pages for their service before recessing the chamber.