henry ford, and many others. frequently overlooked in the discussion of important inventors, however, has been the accomplishments of african-american inventors. until this year's publication of the children's book, "what color is my world" the lost history of african-american inventors, by basketball legend kareem abdul-jabbar, we have done little to teach children about the outstanding contributions african-american inventors have made to innovation. i therefore like to use this time during black history month to pay tribute to some of the many, many contributions african-american inventors have made. i'm not the first member of this body to take to the floor of the house to acknowledge the long legacy of inventiveness of -- in the african-american community. on august 10, 1894, representative george washington murray, the only african-american in the house of representatives at the time, and himself the holder of eight patents on agricultural implements, read the names of 92 african-americans who held patents