; Whereas African American News and Issues, established in 1996, has focused on addressing real-time news directly impacting the African-American community across Texas and encouraging healthy dialogue on key issues; Whereas D-MARS.com, since its founding in 2001, has devoted itself to promote positive, informative, and inspirational stories that transform and uplift the African-American community; and Whereas the contributions of these Black publications have not only been instrumental in chronicling the past, but they continue to inspire, educate, and empower present and future generations: Now, therefore, be it