(B) the transport of Africans to the United 
States and the colonies that became the United 
States for the purpose of enslavement, including 
their treatment during transport; 
(C) the sale and acquisition of Africans as 
chattel property in interstate and intrastate 
commerce; 
(D) the treatment of African slaves in the 
colonies and the United States, including the 
deprivation of their freedom, exploitation of 
their labor, and destruction of their culture, 
language, religion, and families; and 
(E) the extensive denial of humanity, sex-
ual abuse and the chatellization of persons. 
(2) The role which the Federal and State gov-
ernments of the United States supported the institu-
tion of slavery in constitutional and statutory provi-
sions, including the extent to which such govern-
ments prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of 
formerly enslaved Africans and their descendants to 
repatriate to their homeland. 
(3) The Federal and State laws that discrimi-
nated against formerly enslaved Africans and their 
descendants who were deemed United States citizens 
from 1868 to the present. 
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(4) The other forms of discrimination in the 
public and private sectors against freed African 
slaves and their descendants who were deemed 
United States citizens from 1868 to the present, in-
cluding redlining, educational funding discrepancies, 
and predatory financial practices. 
(5) The lingering negative effects of the institu-
tion of slavery and the matters described in para-
graphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) on living Afri-
can-Americans and on society in the United States. 
(6) Recommend appropriate ways to educate 
the American public of the Commission’s findings. 
(7) Recommend appropriate remedies in consid-
eration of the Commission’s findings on the matters 
described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and 
(6). In making such recommendations, the Commis-
sion shall address among other issues, the following 
questions: 
(A) How such recommendations comport 
with international standards of remedy for 
wrongs and injuries caused by the State, that 
include full reparations and special measures, 
as understood by various relevant international 
protocols, laws, and findings. 
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(B) How the Government of the United 
States will offer a formal apology on behalf of 
the people of the United States for the per-
petration of gross human rights violations and 
crimes against humanity on African slaves and 
their descendants. 
(C) How Federal laws and policies that 
continue to disproportionately and negatively 
affect African-Americans as a group, and those 
that perpetuate the lingering effects, materially 
and psycho-social, can be eliminated. 
(D) How the injuries resulting from mat-
ters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), 
(5), and (6) can be reversed and provide appro-
priate policies, programs, projects and rec-
ommendations for the purpose of reversing the 
injuries. 
(E) How, in consideration of the Commis-
sion’s findings, any form of compensation to the 
descendants of enslaved African is calculated. 
(F) What form of compensation should be 
awarded, through what instrumentalities and 
who should be eligible for such compensation. 
(G) How, in consideration of the Commis-
sion’s findings, any other forms of rehabilita-
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tion or restitution to African descendants is 
warranted and what the form and scope of 
those measures should take. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Commission shall 
submit a written report of its findings and recommenda-
tions to the Congress not later than the date which is one 
year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission 
held pursuant to section 4(c). 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—(1) The Commis-
sion shall be composed of 13 members, who shall be ap-
pointed, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, as follows: 
(A) Three members shall be appointed by the 
President. 
(B) Three members shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(C) One member shall be appointed by the 
President pro tempore of the Senate. 
(D) Six members shall be selected from the 
major civil society and reparations organizations 
that have historically championed the cause of 
reparatory justice. 
(2) All members of the Commission shall be persons 
who are especially qualified to serve on the Commission 
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by virtue of their education, training, activism or experi-
ence, particularly in the field of African-American studies 
and reparatory justice. 
(b) TERMS.—The term of office for members shall 
be for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Com-
mission shall not affect the powers of the Commission and 
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(c) FIRST MEETING.—The President shall call the 
first meeting of the Commission within 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act or within 30 days after 
the date on which legislation is enacted making appropria-
tions to carry out this Act, whichever date is later. 
(d) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
hearings. 
(e) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The Commission shall 
elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. 
The term of office of each shall be for the life of the Com-
mission. 
(f) COMPENSATION.—(1) Except as provided in para-
graph (2), each member of the Commission shall receive 
compensation at the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule 
under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each 
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