The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The Afro-American population of the State of New Jersey and the United States of America has made unique and indispensable contributions to the history of the State of New Jersey and the United States;
b. For many generations the role of Afro-Americans has been largely neglected in the writing and teaching of history, to the educational detriment of all Americans;
c. It is the responsibility of the government of this State to provide the people of New Jersey with opportunities to learn about the history of the State and the nation in an accurate and comprehensive manner; and
d. This Legislature has vested in the New Jersey Historical Commission the authority to plan and carry out programs to advance public knowledge of the history of New Jersey and the United States.