IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 656 

Honoring John Brown’s relentless endeavors in his pursuit of liberty for 

all human beings, his unyielding opposition to the institution of slavery, 

and his significant role in the abolition of this monstrous crime against 

humanity. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

AUGUST 18, 2023 

Mr. GREEN of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring John Brown’s relentless endeavors in his pursuit 

of liberty for all human beings, his unyielding opposition 

to the institution of slavery, and his significant role 

in the abolition of this monstrous crime against humanity. 

Whereas this resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Original Resolution Honoring John Brown’’; 

Whereas the United States was established on the majestic 

inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence; 

Whereas these fundamental inalienable rights, despite being 

declared the moral compass of our Nation, were not initially applied to all of its inhabitants; 


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•HRES 656 IH 

Whereas this was especially evident in the early chapters of 

our history where slavery stood in stark contradiction to 

these noble ideals; 

Whereas, throughout history, countless courageous souls have 

endeavored to ensure these rights were honored for all 

people, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or origins; 

Whereas, in the face of the contradictions of the early United 

States, many brave patriots of different hues took it upon 

themselves the task of shaping the Nation toward its 

founding ideals; 

Whereas Paul Revere was the Anglo patriot whose midnight 

ride in 1775 symbolized the quest for liberty as he informed fellow Americans of the impending battle for their 

rights; 

Whereas Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native 

American descent, became a martyr in the fight for liberty, making the ultimate sacrifice as the first casualty 

of the American Revolution in the Boston Massacre of 

1770, personifying the high cost of liberty; 

Whereas John Brown, a White patriot who epitomized the 

momentous fight for liberty, held an unwavering conviction in the absolute immorality of slavery and dedicated 

his life to abolishing this reprehensible crime against humanity in the United States; 

Whereas John Brown raised awareness about the inhumanity 

of slavery while galvanizing support for its abolition; 

Whereas John Brown’s liberation tactics, which included his 

participation in the violent conflict known as ‘‘Bleeding 

Kansas’’ as well as his raid on Harpers Ferry in thenVirginia, influenced the course of the Nation’s history; 


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•HRES 656 IH 

Whereas the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, orchestrated by 

John Brown, was a watershed moment that sparked national debate on slavery and fast-tracked the Nation toward the Civil War and ultimately the Emancipation 

Proclamation; 

Whereas John Brown’s sacrifice in the face of oppressive 

powers was a demonstration of his profound belief in liberty; 

Whereas John Brown’s liberation tactics played a pivotal role 

in pushing our Nation toward the fulfillment of its founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; 

Whereas recognition of John Brown’s contribution to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness fosters a better understanding of the struggles faced in our journey toward the 

abolition of the horrific crime against humanity known as 

slavery; 

Whereas John Brown’s life and legacy evoke reflection on our 

Nation’s history and the high cost of liberty; 

Whereas, like Crispus Attucks, John Brown should be honored for sacrificing his life in the name of liberty; and 

Whereas, just as Paul Revere’s midnight ride was a harbinger of the battle between the colonies and Britain to 

come, John Brown’s raid on the Federal arsenal at 

Harpers Ferry to initiate a slave revolution was a harbinger of the war between slave and free States to come: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, 


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•HRES 656 IH 

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Original Resolu3 tion Honoring John Brown’’. 

4 SEC. 2. HONORING JOHN BROWN. 

5 That the House of Representatives— 

6 (1) acknowledges and honors John Brown’s re7 lentless endeavors in his pursuit of liberty for all 

8 human beings, his unyielding opposition to the insti9 tution of slavery, and his significant role in the abo10 lition of this monstrous crime against humanity; and 

11 (2) encourages every American to reflect on our 

12 Nation’s diverse and complex history as we strive for 

13 a more perfect Union, one that is truly inclusive and 

14 upholds the majestic, inalienable rights of life, lib15 erty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. 

Æ 


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