Friend,​

February is a time to celebrate and honor the Black history that has been made in the face of systemic oppression. We honor leaders like John Lewis, Elijah Cummings, Shirley Chisholm, Marsha P. Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr., and so many more who fought for freedom and liberation for all.

Black History Month is a reminder that the march towards freedom isn't over, but is a fight we must commit to every day. It is a promise that we will honor the legacies of the leaders and artists, teachers and musicians who paved our way in the fight for justice. And it is a notice that we must stay focused on the fight for equality and a more perfect union.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the racial inequities at every level of our country, from our healthcare system to our economy, our education system to our criminal justice system. I am committed to passing reforms that make our country more equitable and safer for Black Americans -- this month and every month.

We have a lot of work left to do, but Black History Month reminds us that the arc of history still bends towards justice.