CON. RES. 356

See RES# 96 | See HR 194 (Simple)

Acknowledging the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies, and for other purposes

Whereas approximately 4,000,000 Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and the 13 American colonies in the period 1619 through 1865;

Whereas slavery was a grave injustice that caused and continues to cause African-Americans to suffer enormous damages and losses, both material and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity;

Whereas slavery in the United States denied African-Americans the fruits of their own labor and was an immoral and inhumane deprivation of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, citizenship rights, and cultural heritage;

Whereas, although the achievements of African-Americans in overcoming the evils of slavery stand as a source of tremendous inspiration, the successes of slaves and their descendants do not overwrite the failure of the Nation to grant all Americans their birthright of equality and the civil rights that safeguard freedom;

Whereas an apology is an important and necessary step in the process of racial reconciliation, because a sincere apology accompanied by an attempt at real restitution is an important healing interaction;

Whereas a genuine apology may restore damaged relationships, whether they are between 2 people or between groups of people

Whereas African-American art, history, and culture reflects experiences of slavery and freedom, and continued struggles for full recognition of citizenship and treatment with human dignity, and there is inadequate presentation, preservation, and recognition of the contributions of African-Americans within American society;

Whereas there is a great need for building institutions and monuments to promote cultural understanding of African-American heritage and further enhance racial harmony;

Whereas it is proper and timely for the Congress to recognize June 19, 1865, the historic day when the last group of slaves were informed of their freedom, to acknowledge the historic significance of the abolition of slavery, to express deep regret to African-Americans, and to support reconciliation efforts: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring)

That the Congress—

(A) acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies;

(B) apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against their ancestors who suffered as slaves;

(C) expresses condemnation of and repudiates the gross and wanton excesses perpetrated against African-Americans while the institution of slavery existed;

(D) recognizes the Nation’s need to redress these events;

(E) commends efforts of reconciliation initiated by organizations and individuals concerned about civil rights and civil liberties and calls for a national initiative of reconciliation among the races; and

(F) expresses commitment to rectify misdeeds of slavery done in the past and to discourage the occurrence of human rights violations in the future; and

(2) it is the sense of the Congress that–

(A) a commission should be established–

(1) to examine the institution of slavery, subsequent racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans as a matter of law and as a matter of fact, and the impact of slavery and such discrimination on living African-Americans;

(ii) to issue a standardized, historical curriculum for use in public schools on the institution of slavery in the United States; and

(iii) to explore the possibility of establishing a scholarship and research fund; and

(B) a National museum and memorial should be established regarding slavery as it relates to the history of the United States, and other significant African-American history.

END