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 human-
ity. 
Whereas this resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Original Resolu-
tion Honoring John Brown’’; 
Whereas the United States was established on the majestic 
inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap-
piness as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence; 
Whereas these fundamental inalienable rights, despite being 
declared the moral compass of our Nation, were not ini-
tially 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 in-
formed 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 lib-
erty, 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 convic-
tion in the absolute immorality of slavery and dedicated 
his life to abolishing this reprehensible crime against hu-
manity 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 then- 
Virginia, 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 na-
tional debate on slavery and fast-tracked the Nation to-
ward 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 lib-
erty; 
Whereas John Brown’s liberation tactics played a pivotal role 
in pushing our Nation toward the fulfillment of its found-
ing principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness; 
Whereas recognition of John Brown’s contribution to life, lib-
erty, and the pursuit of happiness fosters a better under-
standing 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 hon-
ored for sacrificing his life in the name of liberty; and 
Whereas, just as Paul Revere’s midnight ride was a har-
binger 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 har-
binger of the war between slave and free States to come: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, 
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•HRES 656 IH 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Original Resolu-
tion Honoring John Brown’’. 
SEC. 2. HONORING JOHN BROWN. 
That the House of Representatives— 
(1) acknowledges and honors John Brown’s re-
lentless endeavors in his pursuit of liberty for all 
human beings, his unyielding opposition to the insti-
tution of slavery, and his significant role in the abo-
lition of this monstrous crime against humanity; and 
(2) encourages every American to reflect on our 
Nation’s diverse and complex history as we strive for 
a more perfect Union, one that is truly inclusive and 
upholds the majestic, inalienable rights of life, lib-
erty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. 
Æ 
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