IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 158 

Observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade 

and encouraging the people of the United States, particularly the youth 

of the United States, to remember the life and legacy of William Wilberforce, a member of the British House of Commons who devoted his 

life to the suppression and abolition of the institution of slavery, and 

to work for the protection of human rights throughout the world. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 13, 2007 

Mr. PITTS (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. WOLF, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. POE, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. GARY G. 

MILLER of California, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. LAMBORN, 

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. PENCE, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. 

FORBES, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. 

WELDON of Florida, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. ROGERS of Michigan, and Mr. 

SESSIONS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade and encouraging the people of the United 

States, particularly the youth of the United States, to 

remember the life and legacy of William Wilberforce, 

a member of the British House of Commons who devoted 

his life to the suppression and abolition of the institution 

of slavery, and to work for the protection of human 

rights throughout the world. 


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•HRES 158 IH 

Whereas in 1780, William Wilberforce was elected at the age 

of 21 years to the British House of Commons; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce and his friends were active in at 

least 69 different projects focusing on issues such as 

prison reform, education, child labor conditions, animal 

cruelty, and the reformation of the culture; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce was mentored and counseled by 

former slave trader and author of the hymn ‘‘Amazing 

Grace’’, John Newton, on the horrors of the slave trade; 

Whereas at the time, 11 million human beings had been captured and taken from Africa to the Western hemisphere 

and forced into slavery and bondage; 

Whereas at the time, the British Empire controlled the largest portion of the slave trade; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce devoted his life to the suppression 

and abolition of the institution of slavery; 

Whereas a dedicated group of like-minded reformers, the 

Clapham group, assisted, supported, and encouraged Mr. 

Wilberforce in his fight against the slave trade; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce fought for 20 years in the House 

of Commons to pass legislation banning the slave trade; 

Whereas on February 23, 1807, Britain passed a bill banning 

the slave trade; 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce helped inspire and encourage those 

who fought against slavery in the United States, including political leaders like John Quincy Adams, spreading 

a message of hope and freedom throughout America and 

the promise of the future; 


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•HRES 158 IH 

Whereas Mr. Wilberforce labored 46 years to abolish the institution of slavery in the British Empire, ceaselessly defending those without a voice within society; 

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

bed that the House of Commons had voted to abolish 

slavery; 

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; 

Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates 

that there are more than 12 million people in forced 

labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude around the world; and 

Whereas the people of the United States, particularly the 

youth of the United States, are called upon to form clubs 

and groups dedicated to working against the modern 

slave trade, human trafficking, and the degradation of 

human dignity: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) observes the 200th anniversary of the aboli3 tion of the British slave trade; 

4 (2) commends to the people of the United 

5 States the example of William Wilberforce and his 

6 commitment to each and every person’s human dig7 nity, value, and freedom; 

8 (3) encourages the people of the United States, 

9 particularly the youth of the United States, to— 


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•HRES 158 IH 

1 (A) observe the anniversary of the abolition 

2 of the British slave trade; 

3 (B) reflect on Mr. Wilberforce’s selfless 

4 dedication to the fight against slavery and his 

5 commitment to the neediest in society; 

6 (C) commit themselves to recognize the 

7 value of every person; and 

8 (D) form high school clubs and groups 

9 working against modern day slavery and the 

10 trafficking of persons; and 

11 (4) condemns to the highest degree all forms of 

12 human trafficking and slavery which are an assault 

13 on human dignity and of which Mr. Wilberforce 

14 would steadfastly resist. 

Æ 


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