III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 84 

Observing February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of the abolition 

of the slave trade in the British Empire, honoring the distinguished 

life and legacy of William Wilberforce, and encouraging the people of 

the United States to follow the example of William Wilberforce by selflessly pursuing respect for human rights around the world. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 15, 2007 

Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. PRYOR, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. COBURN, and 

Mr. ENSIGN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on the Judiciary 

MARCH 1, 2007 

Reported by Mr. LEAHY, without amendment 

MARCH 23, 2007 

Considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Observing February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of 

the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, 

honoring the distinguished life and legacy of William 

Wilberforce, and encouraging the people of the United 

States to follow the example of William Wilberforce by 

selflessly pursuing respect for human rights around the 

world. 

Whereas, at the age of 21, William Wilberforce was elected 

to the House of Commons of Great Britain; 

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Whereas Mr. Wilberforce and his colleagues actively engaged 

in many initiatives with the sole purpose of renewing 

British culture at the turn of the 19th century in order 

to bring about positive social change; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce advocated prison reform that equally respected justice and human dignity, and encouraged 

reconciliation; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce sought to improve the conditions 

for, and minimize the use of, child laborers; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce dedicated his life to ending the 

British slave trade and the abolition of slavery despite 

forceful opposition; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce was mentored by former slave trader and author of the hymn ‘‘Amazing Grace,’’ John Newton, on the horrors and inhumanity of the slave trade; 

Whereas approximately 11,000,000 human beings were captured and taken from Africa to the Western Hemisphere 

to be sold as commodities and forced into slavery and 

bondage; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce fought for 20 years in the House 

of Commons to pass legislation banning the slave trade; 

Whereas, on February 23, 1807, Parliament passed a bill 

banning the slave trade in the British Empire as a direct 

result of the efforts of Mr. Wilberforce; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce inspired and encouraged those who 

opposed slavery in the United States, including political 

leaders like John Quincy Adams, and spread a message 

of hope and freedom throughout the United States; 

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Whereas Mr. Wilberforce labored for 46 years to abolish the 

institution of slavery in the British Empire, ceaselessly 

defending those without a voice in society; 

Whereas, in 1833, Mr. Wilberforce was informed on his death 

bed that the House of Commons had voted to abolish 

slavery altogether; 

Whereas section 102(a) of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101(a)) states 

that human trafficking is ‘‘a contemporary manifestation 

of slavery whose victims are predominantly women and 

children’’; 

Whereas the scourge of human slavery continues to pollute 

our world and assault human dignity and freedom; 

Whereas, in 2006, the United States Department of State estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 men, women, 

and children were trafficked across international borders 

for use as bonded laborers or sex slaves, or for other nefarious purposes; 

Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates 

that there are more than 12,000,000 people in forced 

labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude around the world, a number that is greater than 

the number of slaves that existed at the time of Mr. 

Wilberforce’s death; 

Whereas all people must continue to fight, as Mr. Wilberforce 

fought, for the true abolition of slavery and for respect 

for human dignity in all aspects of modern culture; and 

Whereas the people of the United States should carry on the 

legacy of William Wilberforce by working to end the modern slave trade, human trafficking, and the degradation 

of human dignity: Now, therefore, be it 

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1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) observes February 23, 2007, as the 200th 

3 anniversary of the ban of the slave trade in the Brit4 ish Empire; 

5 (2) recognizes the positive impact William Wil6 berforce had on renewing the culture of his day and 

7 ending the inhumane practice of human slavery; 

8 (3) commends to the people of the United 

9 States the example of William Wilberforce and his 

10 commitment to the values of inherent human dignity 

11 and freedom, which reside in each and every human 

12 being; 

13 (4) encourages the people of the United States 

14 to— 

15 (A) observe the 200th anniversary of the 

16 ban of the slave trade in the British Empire; 

17 (B) reflect on William Wilberforce’s self18 less dedication to the fight against slavery and 

19 his commitment to the neediest in society; and 

20 (C) commit themselves to recognize the 

21 value of human life and human dignity; and 

22 (5) unequivocally condemns all forms of human 

23 trafficking and slavery, which are an assault on 

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1 human dignity that William Wilberforce would 

2 steadfastly resist. 

Æ 

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