IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 713 
Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of January 1, 2015, 
to December 31, 2024, as the ‘‘International Decade for People of 
African Descent’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 25, 2018 
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia (for himself, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, 
Mr. MEEKS, Ms. NORTON, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. SERRANO, 
Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. RUSH, Ms. LEE, Ms. CLARKE of 
New York, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Ms. MOORE, Ms. BASS, Mr. DAVID 
SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. ESPAILLAT, and Ms. JACKSON LEE) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of Janu-
ary 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024, as the ‘‘Inter-
national Decade for People of African Descent’’. 
Whereas the decade commencing on January 1, 2015, and 
ending on December 31, 2024, has been designated as 
the ‘‘International Decade for People of African Descent’’ 
with the theme ‘‘People of African descent: recognition, 
justice and development’’; 
Whereas the African Diaspora is expansive, spanning across 
the globe from Latin America and the Caribbean to Asia 
and Europe, with persons of African descent having had 
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a historical presence and currently residing on every con-
tinent; 
Whereas during the ‘‘International Decade for People of Afri-
can Descent’’ governments and civil society across the 
globe join together with people of African descent to pro-
mote respect, protection, and the fulfilment of human 
rights and fundamental freedoms; 
Whereas during the ‘‘International Decade for People of Afri-
can Descent’’ governments in concert with civil society 
are to strengthen national, regional and international ac-
tion and cooperation to facilitate the full and equal par-
ticipation of people of African descent in society, promote 
a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse herit-
age, culture and contributions of people of African de-
scent to the development of societies, and to strengthen 
and implement legal frameworks that combat racial dis-
crimination; 
Whereas during the ‘‘International Decade for People of Afri-
can Descent’’ governments are to utilize reliable statis-
tical data to develop and implement in concert with civil 
society measurable national action plans and other strate-
gies to address racial disparities impacting people of Afri-
can descent in the justice, wealth, education, employ-
ment, health, housing, development, and other sectors; 
Whereas government efforts of the ‘‘International Decade for 
People of African Descent’’ are to also promote the his-
tory and heritage of people of African descent, including 
through research and education, the full and accurate in-
clusion of their history and contributions in educational 
curricula, and by recognizing the victims and descendants 
of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, as a 
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means of upholding their human dignity and equality and 
promoting societal reconciliation and healing; 
Whereas government efforts of the ‘‘International Decade for 
People of African Descent’’ are to also enable the full, 
equal and effective participation of people of African de-
scent in public and political affairs; and 
Whereas, on December 10, 2014, Ambassador Samantha 
Power, United States Permanent Representative to the 
United Nations, at the General Assembly Special Event 
on the International Decade for People of African De-
scent stated, ‘‘The United States comes to the Inter-
national Decade for People of African Descent with a full 
and robust commitment to ensuring the rights of persons 
of African descent, and to combating racism and dis-
crimination against them.’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the ‘‘Inter-
national Decade for People of African Descent’’; 
(2) supports the establishment of a global af-
fairs strategy and assistance for people of African 
descent; 
(3) supports the expansion of current efforts by 
the United Nations, Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe, Organization for American 
States, and other international organizations to ad-
dress the human rights situation of people of Afri-
can Descent; 
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(4) calls upon the United States in cooperation 
with civil society (African descent communities, aca-
demics, activists, businesses, and philanthropic orga-
nizations) to develop and implement domestic and 
global strategies to execute the goals and ideals of 
the ‘‘International Decade for People of African De-
scent’’ and to combat racism, including by expand-
ing the transformative work of the United States 
Department of State’s Race, Ethnicity, and Social 
Inclusion Unit in this regard; and 
(5) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to 
combat racism, discrimination, and intolerance in 
the United States and around the globe. 
Æ 
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