PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 

COMMISSION ON THE ABOLITION OF THE 

TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE ACT 


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122 STAT. 606 PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 

Public Law 110–183 

110th Congress 

An Act 

To establish the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission on the Abolition 

of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act’’. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 

(1) On March 2, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed 

into law a bill approved by the Congress ‘‘An Act to prohibit 

the importation of slaves into any port or place within the 

jurisdiction of the United States’’ (hereinafter in this Act 

referred to as the ‘‘1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act’’) and 

made it unlawful ‘‘to import or bring into the United States 

or territories thereof from any foreign kingdom, place or 

country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with intent 

to hold, sell, or dispose of such. . .as a slave, or to be held 

to service or labour’’. 

(2) Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution 

clearly spelled out that the international slave trade could 

not be banned before 1808, and it is only on January 1, 1808, 

that the 1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act went into effect. 

(3) An Act entitled ‘‘An Act to continue in force ‘An act 

to protect the commerce of the United States, and punish 

the crime of piracy,’ and also to make further provisions for 

punishing the crime of piracy’’, enacted May 15, 1820, made 

it unlawful for any citizen of the United States to engage 

‘‘in the slave trade, or. . ., being of the crew or ship’s company 

of any foreign ship. . ., seize any negro or mulatto. . .with the 

intent to make. . .a slave. . .or forcibly bring . . .on board any 

such ship....’’. 

(4) The transatlantic slave trade entailed the kidnapping, 

purchase, and commercial export of Africans, mostly from West 

and Central Africa, to the European colonies and new nations 

in the Americas, including the United States, where they were 

enslaved in forced labor between the 15th and mid-19th centuries. 

(5) The term ‘‘Middle Passage’’ refers to the horrific part 

of the transatlantic slave trade when millions of Africans were 

chained together and stowed by the hundreds in overcrowded 

ships where they were forced into small spaces for months 

Commission on 

the Abolition of 

the Transatlantic 

Slave Trade Act. 

Feb. 5, 2008 

[H.R. 3432] 


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PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 122 STAT. 607 

without relief as they were transported across the Atlantic 

Ocean to the Americas. 

(6) During the Middle Passage, enslaved Africans resisted 

their enslavement through non-violent and violent means, 

including hunger strikes, suicide, and shipboard revolts, the 

most historically-recognized events taking place on board the 

Don Carlos in 1732 and on board the Amistad in 1839. 

(7) Scholars estimate that, at a minimum, between 

10,000,000 and 15,000,000 Africans survived the Middle Passage, were imported as chattel through customs houses and 

ports across the Americas, and were sold into slavery. 

(8) The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the 

United States recognizes that ‘‘Neither slavery nor involuntary 

servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party 

shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United 

States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.’’. 

(9) The slave trade and the legacy of slavery continue 

to have a profound impact on social and economic disparity, 

hatred, bias, racism, and discrimination, and continue to affect 

people in the Americas, particularly those of African descent. 

(10) In 2007, the British Parliament marked the 200th 

anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the former 

British Empire with plans launched by the Department for 

Education and Skills which provided joint funding of £910,000 

($1,800,000) for the Understanding Slavery Initiative, and the 

Heritage Lottery Fund announced awards of over £20,000,000 

($40,000,000) for projects to commemorate the anniversary. 

(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to establish the 

Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to— 

(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade 

by sponsoring and supporting commemorative programs; 

(2) cooperate with and assist programs and activities 

throughout the United States in observance of the bicentennial 

anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; 

(3) assist in ensuring that the observations of the bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade 

are inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences of 

all people during this period in history; 

(4) support and facilitate international involvement in 

observances of the bicentennial anniversary of the abolition 

of the transatlantic slave trade; and 

(5) study the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on 

the United States and the Americas. 

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 

There is established a commission to be known as the ‘‘Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade’’ (referred 

to in this Act as the ‘‘Commission’’). 

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RELATED MATTERS. 

(a) MEMBERSHIP.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.— 

(A) The Commission shall be composed of nine members, of whom— 

(i) three shall be appointed by the Speaker of 

the House of Representatives; 


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(ii) two shall be appointed by the majority leader 

of the Senate; 

(iii) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 

of the House of Representatives; and 

(iv) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 

of the Senate. 

(B) Each appointing authority described in subparagraph (A) shall appoint the initial members of the Commission not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment 

of this Act. 

(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Commission shall 

be individuals with demonstrated expertise or experience in 

the study and program facilitation on the transatlantic slave 

trade and the institution of slavery as it relates to the United 

States and the Americas. 

(3) TERM; VACANCIES.— (A) TERM.—A member of the Commission shall be 

appointed for the life of the Commission. 

(B) VACANCIES.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the Commission 

shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 

appointment was made. 

(ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member appointed to fill 

a vacancy on the Commission shall serve for the 

remainder of the term for which the predecessor of 

the member was appointed. 

(4) MEETINGS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall meet— 

(i) as many times as necessary; or 

(ii) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority 

of the members of the Commission. 

(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 

the date on which all members of the Commission have 

been appointed, the Commission shall hold its initial 

meeting. 

(C) NOTICE OF MEETINGS.—All Commission members 

shall be given reasonable advance notice of all Commission 

meetings. 

(D) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON AND EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR.—Not later than 60 days after the date on which 

all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 

Commission shall— 

(i) designate one of the members as Chairperson; 

and 

(ii) select an executive director as described under 

subsection (d)(2). 

(5) VOTING.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall act only on 

an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 

Commission. 

(B) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 

Commission, which includes at least one member appointed 

pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (1)(A), shall 

constitute a quorum for conducting business but fewer 

members may meet or hold hearings. 

(b) DUTIES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 

Deadline. 

Deadline. 

Deadline. 


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PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 122 STAT. 609 

(A) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 

appropriate to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary 

of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; 

(B) facilitate commemoration-related activities 

throughout the United States; 

(C) encourage civic, historical, educational, religious, 

economic, and other organizations, as well as State and 

local governments, throughout the United States to organize and participate in anniversary activities to expand 

the understanding and appreciation of the significance of 

the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 

particularly as it relates to the United States; 

(D) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly 

research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the 

transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 

particularly as it relates to the United States; 

(E) assist in the development of appropriate programs 

and facilities to ensure that the bicentennial anniversary 

of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade provides 

a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit; 

(F) support and facilitate marketing efforts for the 

issuance of a commemorative coin, postage stamp, and 

related activities for observances; 

(G) facilitate the convening of a joint meeting or joint 

session of the Congress for ceremonies and activities 

relating to the transatlantic slave trade and the institution 

of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; 

(H) promote the sponsorship of conferences, exhibitions, or public meetings concerning the transatlantic slave 

trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it 

relates to the United States; 

(I) coordinate and facilitate the sponsorship of high 

school and collegiate essay contests concerning the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; and 

(J) examine reports of modern-day slavery and human 

trafficking to raise the public’s awareness of these matters 

and ensure such atrocities do not go unnoticed by the 

people of the United States. 

(2) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than March 31, 2009, the 

Commission shall submit to the Congress a report containing 

a summary of the activities of the Commission for 2008. 

(c) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission may— 

(1) accept donations and gift items related to the transatlantic slave trade, the institution of slavery, and the significance of slavery to the history of the United States; 

(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission 

determines necessary to carry out this Act; 

(3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission 

to take any action that the Commission is authorized to take 

under this Act; 

(4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or 

enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to carry 

out this Act (except that any contracts, leases, or other legal 

agreements made or entered into by the Commission shall 

not extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission); and 


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122 STAT. 610 PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 

(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and 

under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. 

(d) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 

(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

(A) BASIC PAY.—Members of the Commission shall not 

receive compensation for the performance of their duties 

on behalf of the Commission. 

(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Upon approval of the Chairperson, a member of the Commission shall be allowed 

travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 

at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under 

subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 

while away from their homes or regular place of business 

in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Commission. 

(2) STAFF.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the Commission 

shall, without regard to the civil service laws (including 

regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director 

and such other additional personnel as are necessary to 

enable the Commission to perform its duties. 

(B) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.— 

(i) QUALIFICATIONS.—The person appointed executive director shall have demonstrated expertise or 

experience in the study and program facilitation on 

the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of 

slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States. 

(ii) CONFIRMATION.—The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the 

members of the Commission. 

(C) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director 

and other personnel without regard to the provisions of 

chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 

United States Code, relating to classification of positions 

and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of 

pay for the executive director and other personnel may 

not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 

Schedule under section 5316 of such title. 

(D) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, 

the Commission may accept and use voluntary and 

uncompensated services as the Commission determines necessary. 

(e) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary 

and intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b) of 

title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not 

exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 

of that title. 

(f) NON-APPLICABILITY OF FACA.—Section 14(b) of the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 

Commission. 


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PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 122 STAT. 611 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3432: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 

Vol. 153 (2007): Oct. 2, considered and passed House. 

Dec. 19, considered and passed Senate, amended. 

Vol. 154 (2008): Jan. 22, House concurred in Senate amendment. 

Æ 

SEC. 5. TERMINATION. 

(a) DATE OF TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 

on December 31, 2009. 

(b) FINAL REPORT.—Upon termination, the Commission shall 

submit to the Congress a report containing— 

(1) a detailed statement of the activities of the Commission; 

and 

(2) a final accounting of the funds received and expended 

by the Commission. 

Approved February 5, 2008. 


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