Commissioner Susan Ness Black History Month Statement 2/29/2000 I am sorry that I could not be here today to join you in commemorating Black History Month. For it is occasions such as this the celebration of the cultural and personal achievements of African Americans throughout history -- that bring us together and inspire us to work more diligently toward eliminating racism that continues to plague our society. In his last speech on April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King said, "we have an opportunity to make America a better place." Let us today rededicate ourselves to that noble mission.