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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 196 Introduced in House (IH)]

109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 196

 Recognizing the anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment 
 and encouraging the American people to educate and instill pride and 
purpose into their communities and to observe the anniversary annually 
               with appropriate programs and activities.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 6, 2005

   Ms. Lee (for herself, Mr. Watt, Ms. Waters, Mr. Conyers, and Ms. 
  Jackson-Lee of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment 
 and encouraging the American people to educate and instill pride and 
purpose into their communities and to observe the anniversary annually 
               with appropriate programs and activities.

Whereas on December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was 
        ratified, proclaiming that ``neither slavery nor involuntary servitude . 
        . . shall exist within the United States'';
Whereas the ratification of the 13th Amendment began a civil rights movement 
        which would radically change African American existence in the United 
        States;
Whereas the 13th Amendment represented a victory for African Americans across 
        the United States, who had been denied the rights of full citizens;
Whereas the 13th Amendment is a symbol of the Federal Government's commitment to 
        fulfill its promise of equality, liberty, and the American dream for all 
        Americans because it liberated African Americans from the yoke of 
        slavery and launched a new age activism advocating equal rights for all 
        minorities;
Whereas December 6, 2005, marks the 140th anniversary of the ratification of the 
        13th Amendment;
Whereas the observation of the 140th anniversary would put into effect section 2 
        of the Amendment, by reaffirming Congress' ``power to enforce this 
        article by appropriate legislation''; and
Whereas the 13th Amendment Foundation supports the establishment of a national 
        day of recognition commemorating the anniversary of the ratification of 
        the 13th Amendment to renew a national commitment to eradicate racial 
        and ethnic inequalities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 140th anniversary of the ratification of 
        the 13th Amendment to the Constitution;
            (2) encourages the American people to educate and instill 
        pride and purpose into their communities about the history of 
        liberation and the civil rights movement in the United States; 
        and
            (3) encourages the American people to observe the 
        anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment each year 
        by honoring its significance in United States history with 
        appropriate programs and activities.
                                 <all>
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