IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 946 
Celebrating the history of the Detroit River with the 15-year commemoration 
of the International Underground Railroad Memorial Monument, com-
prised of the Gateway to Freedom Monument in Detroit, Michigan, 
and the Tower of Freedom Monument in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 6, 2016 
Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mrs. DINGELL, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Mr. LEVIN, and 
Mr. KILDEE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Celebrating the history of the Detroit River with the 15- 
year commemoration of the International Underground 
Railroad Memorial Monument, comprised of the Gateway 
to Freedom Monument in Detroit, Michigan, and the 
Tower of Freedom Monument in Windsor, Ontario, Can-
ada. 
Whereas millions of Africans and their descendants were 
enslaved in the United States and the American colonies 
from 1619 through 1865; 
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Whereas Africans forced into slavery were torn from their 
families and loved ones and stripped of their names and 
heritage; 
Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by 
former slaves and the descendants of former slaves re-
main an example for all people of the United States, re-
gardless of background, religion, or race; 
Whereas tens of thousands of people of African descent 
bravely and silently escaped their chains to follow the 
perilous Underground Railroad northward towards free-
dom in Canada; 
Whereas the Detroit River played a central role for these pas-
sengers of the Underground Railroad on their way to 
freedom; 
Whereas in October 2001, the City of Detroit, Michigan, 
joined with Windsor and Essex County in Ontario, Can-
ada, to memorialize the courage of these freedom seekers 
with an international memorial to the Underground Rail-
road, comprised of the Tower of Freedom Monument in 
Windsor and the Gateway to Freedom Monument in De-
troit; 
Whereas the deep roots that slaves, refugees, and immigrants 
who reached Canada from the United States created in 
Canadian society remain as tributes to the determination 
of their descendants to safeguard the history of the 
struggles and endurance of their forebears; 
Whereas the observance of the 15-year commemoration of the 
International Underground Railroad Memorial Monument 
was celebrated during the month of October 2016; 
Whereas the International Underground Railroad Memorial 
Monument represents a cooperative international partner-
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ship dedicated to education and research with the goal of 
promoting cross-border understanding as well as eco-
nomic development and cultural heritage tourism; 
Whereas over the course of history, the United States has be-
come a symbol of democracy and freedom around the 
world; and 
Whereas the legacy of African-Americans and their fight for 
freedom is interwoven with the fabric of democracy and 
freedom in the United States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) celebrates the history of the Detroit River 
with a 15-year commemoration of the International 
Underground Railroad Memorial Monument, com-
prised of the Gateway to Freedom Monument in De-
troit, Michigan, and the Tower of Freedom Monu-
ment in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; and 
(2) supports the official recognition, by national 
and international entities, of the Detroit River as 
area of historic importance to the history of the Un-
derground Railroad and the fight for freedom in 
North America. 
Æ 
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