RESOLUTION OFFERS APOLOGY FOR ENSLAVEMENT & RACIAL SEGREGATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Congressional Desk
June 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan, bicameral resolution passed by the U.S. Senate today provides an apology for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans. The measure comes as the nation celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery. It was sponsored by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) and in the U.S. House by Congressmen Cohen. It is expected to be taken up by the U.S. House shortly.
"Numerous states and even corporations such as J.P. Morgan and Aetna have apologized for their role in slavery and Jim Crow. But slavery and Jim Crow, and their continuing consequences are not the historical baggage of one state, one region, or one company. They are an enduring national shame," said Senator Harkin. "It was the nation that enshrined slavery in the Constitution and Congress that passed laws such as the Missouri Compromise and Fugitive Slave Act. It was the nation´s Supreme Court which bolstered slavery and affirmed segregation in Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessey v. Ferguson. This resolution acknowledges and apologizes for a past collective injustice. And it is long over-due."
"I am pleased that Congress has officially offered an apology for slavery and it´s long overdue," said Senator Brownback. "The formation of my home state of Kansas was centered around slavery and came to be known as Bleeding Kansas. I believe that this official apology will enable our nation to begin healing our racial wounds rooted in the institution of slavery. I do not pretend that this apology is a panacea but it is a much needed catalyst for reconciliation. It is vital that together we are able to reconcile the hurt and shame of our past and begin together a brighter future for all Americans."
"Last year´s historic vote in the House on a similar Slavery Apology resolution put us squarely on the path toward reconciliation and healing. Today´s actions by the Senate have moved us further down that road. Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon our nation and our government. As we strive toward the goal of a more perfect union, we must acknowledge our past mistakes that we have made on that journey. I thank Senators Harkin and Brownback for their efforts," Congressman Steve Cohen.
After making detailed findings regarding slavery and the system of de jure segregation known as "Jim Crow," the resolution reads that the Congress:
Acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws;
Apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws; and
Expresses its recommitment to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and calls on all people of the United States to work toward eliminating racial prejudices, injustices and discrimination from our society.
This resolution is not novel or unique. In 1988, Congress apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans held during WWII. In 1993, Congress apologized to native Hawaiians for overthrowing their king. In 2005, the Senate apologized for its failure to enact anti-lynching legislation. Last year, the Senate adopted as part of the Indian Health Bill an amendment apologizing to Native Americans. The resolution, therefore, addresses a glaring oversight that Congress has not, on behalf of the nation, acknowledged and apologized for slavery and Jim Crow.
The measure is supported by various civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
"Numerous states and even corporations such as J.P. Morgan and Aetna have apologized for their role in slavery and Jim Crow. But slavery and Jim Crow, and their continuing consequences are not the historical baggage of one state, one region, or one company. They are an enduring national shame," said Senator Harkin. "It was the nation that enshrined slavery in the Constitution and Congress that passed laws such as the Missouri Compromise and Fugitive Slave Act. It was the nation´s Supreme Court which bolstered slavery and affirmed segregation in Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessey v. Ferguson. This resolution acknowledges and apologizes for a past collective injustice. And it is long over-due."
"I am pleased that Congress has officially offered an apology for slavery and it´s long overdue," said Senator Brownback. "The formation of my home state of Kansas was centered around slavery and came to be known as Bleeding Kansas. I believe that this official apology will enable our nation to begin healing our racial wounds rooted in the institution of slavery. I do not pretend that this apology is a panacea but it is a much needed catalyst for reconciliation. It is vital that together we are able to reconcile the hurt and shame of our past and begin together a brighter future for all Americans."
"Last year´s historic vote in the House on a similar Slavery Apology resolution put us squarely on the path toward reconciliation and healing. Today´s actions by the Senate have moved us further down that road. Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon our nation and our government. As we strive toward the goal of a more perfect union, we must acknowledge our past mistakes that we have made on that journey. I thank Senators Harkin and Brownback for their efforts," Congressman Steve Cohen.
After making detailed findings regarding slavery and the system of de jure segregation known as "Jim Crow," the resolution reads that the Congress:
Acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws;
Apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws; and
Expresses its recommitment to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and calls on all people of the United States to work toward eliminating racial prejudices, injustices and discrimination from our society.
This resolution is not novel or unique. In 1988, Congress apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans held during WWII. In 1993, Congress apologized to native Hawaiians for overthrowing their king. In 2005, the Senate apologized for its failure to enact anti-lynching legislation. Last year, the Senate adopted as part of the Indian Health Bill an amendment apologizing to Native Americans. The resolution, therefore, addresses a glaring oversight that Congress has not, on behalf of the nation, acknowledged and apologized for slavery and Jim Crow.
The measure is supported by various civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
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