IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1102 

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Rolihlahla 

Mandela, recognizing the significance of his contribution to democracy 

and racial equality in South Africa, and honoring his life-long dedication 

to building a more equitable and united world. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 23, 2010 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. BORDALLO, Ms. CORRINE BROWN

of Florida, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. COHEN, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. 

CRENSHAW, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. 

FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. FATTAH, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. 

GRIJALVA, Mr. HONDA, Mr. INGLIS, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Ms. 

EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. 

MCGOVERN, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Ms. 

NORTON, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. 

RUSH, Ms. LINDA T. SA ́NCHEZ of California, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. TOWNS, and Ms. WATSON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, recognizing the significance of 

his contribution to democracy and racial equality in 

South Africa, and honoring his life-long dedication to 

building a more equitable and united world. 

Whereas, February 11, 2010, marks the 20th anniversary of 

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s release from prison for his 


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actions as a leading member of the African National Congress’ (ANC) efforts to dismantle the rule of apartheid; 

Whereas apartheid was a system of racial segregation that restricted and prohibited Black South Africans and other 

people of color from utilizing certain public, educational, 

and health care facilities and services, and opportunities 

to access land, property, and wealth; 

Whereas, at 4:14 p.m. on February 11, 1990, Mandela exited 

the Victor Verster prison in Paarl ending 27 years, 6 

months, and 1 week of unbroken incarceration; 

Whereas the release of Nelson Mandela resulted from decades 

of international pressure through sanctions, including the 

Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and the condemnation of 

apartheid by countless leaders, artists, intellectuals, and 

activists in Africa and around the world; 

Whereas Mandela used the Rivonia Trial as a forum to eloquently express his political beliefs, and privately decided 

that, if sentenced to death, he would not appeal the decision; 

Whereas Mandela spent the first 18 years of his incarceration 

at the infamous maximum security jail on Robben Island, 

and 7 years at facilities in Cape Town and Paarl before 

he was finally released; 

Whereas on the day of his release on February 11, 1990, 71- 

year-old Nelson Mandela addressed close to 60,000 people of various ethnic backgrounds who gathered at City 

Hall in Cape Town to witness him giving a speech that 

was televised throughout South Africa and watched by 

tens of millions around the world; 


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•HRES 1102 IH 

Whereas his release was met with elation by supporters of the 

ANC who were rejoicing and dancing in the streets of 

Cape Town and throughout South Africa; 

Whereas Nelson Mandela and President F.W. de Klerk successfully fought to hold together the threads of peaceful 

negotiation; 

Whereas on the day of his release, Nelson Mandela quoted 

the famous words from his testimony during his 1964 

trial that resulted in his 27-year incarceration, ‘‘I have 

fought against white domination and I have fought 

against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a 

democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.’’; 

Whereas despite his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela never 

wavered from his resolve to create a free and democratic 

South Africa and initiated a dialogue with the apartheid 

regime, which culminated in his eventual release and the 

reinstatement of the ANC as a legitimate political party 

days before his release in 1990; 

Whereas the release of Nelson Mandela was a defining moment in the global effort to end apartheid; 

Whereas a series of negotiations between the South African 

Government and the ANC resulted in the abolishment of 

apartheid and an election in which almost 20,000,000 

South Africans of all ethnicities cast their vote under a 

national policy of universal suffrage; 

Whereas Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of 

the Republic of South Africa on May 10, 1994, and 

pledged to lead a ‘‘united, democratic, non-racial and 

non-sexist government’’ for all people of South Africa; 


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Whereas the presidency of Nelson Mandela saw distinct advancements toward racial equality in South Africa, as the 

nation transitioned from apartheid and minority rule to 

a country that aspired to achieve reconciliation, equality 

and peace; and 

Whereas Nelson Mandela’s life and work continue to inspire 

individuals living in South Africa and around the world: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) commemorates the 20th anniversary of Nel3 son Rolihlahla Mandela’s release from 27 years of 

4 unjust imprisonment; 

5 (2) recognizes the release of Nelson Mandela as 

6 a significant event in South Africa’s attempt to 

7 achieve an equal and democratic society; and 

8 (3) recognizes Nelson Mandela’s pivotal role in 

9 ending apartheid and as a figure of progress, 

10 strength, and reconciliation in South Africa and in 

11 the global community. 

Æ 


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