IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 158 
Observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade 
and encouraging the people of the United States, particularly the youth 
of the United States, to remember the life and legacy of William Wilber-
force, a member of the British House of Commons who devoted his 
life to the suppression and abolition of the institution of slavery, and 
to work for the protection of human rights throughout the world. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 13, 2007 
Mr. PITTS (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. SMITH of New Jer-
sey, Mr. WOLF, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. CLY-
BURN, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. POE, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. GARY G. 
MILLER of California, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. LAMBORN, 
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. PENCE, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. 
FORBES, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. 
WELDON of Florida, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. ROGERS of Michigan, and Mr. 
SESSIONS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Brit-
ish slave trade and encouraging the people of the United 
States, particularly the youth of the United States, to 
remember the life and legacy of William Wilberforce, 
a member of the British House of Commons who devoted 
his life to the suppression and abolition of the institution 
of slavery, and to work for the protection of human 
rights throughout the world. 
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•HRES 158 IH 
Whereas in 1780, William Wilberforce was elected at the age 
of 21 years to the British House of Commons; 
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce and his friends were active in at 
least 69 different projects focusing on issues such as 
prison reform, education, child labor conditions, animal 
cruelty, and the reformation of the culture; 
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce was mentored and counseled by 
former slave trader and author of the hymn ‘‘Amazing 
Grace’’, John Newton, on the horrors of the slave trade; 
Whereas at the time, 11 million human beings had been cap-
tured and taken from Africa to the Western hemisphere 
and forced into slavery and bondage; 
Whereas at the time, the British Empire controlled the larg-
est portion of the slave trade; 
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce devoted his life to the suppression 
and abolition of the institution of slavery; 
Whereas a dedicated group of like-minded reformers, the 
Clapham group, assisted, supported, and encouraged Mr. 
Wilberforce in his fight against the slave trade; 
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce fought for 20 years in the House 
of Commons to pass legislation banning the slave trade; 
Whereas on February 23, 1807, Britain passed a bill banning 
the slave trade; 
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce helped inspire and encourage those 
who fought against slavery in the United States, includ-
ing political leaders like John Quincy Adams, spreading 
a message of hope and freedom throughout America and 
the promise of the future; 
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•HRES 158 IH 
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce labored 46 years to abolish the in-
stitution of slavery in the British Empire, ceaselessly de-
fending those without a voice within society; 
Whereas in 1833, Mr. Wilberforce was informed on his death 
bed that the House of Commons had voted to abolish 
slavery; 
Whereas in 2006, the United States Department of State es-
timated that between 600,000 and 800,000 men, women, 
and children were trafficked across international borders; 
Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates 
that there are more than 12 million people in forced 
labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual ser-
vitude around the world; and 
Whereas the people of the United States, particularly the 
youth of the United States, are called upon to form clubs 
and groups dedicated to working against the modern 
slave trade, human trafficking, and the degradation of 
human dignity: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) observes the 200th anniversary of the aboli-
tion of the British slave trade; 
(2) commends to the people of the United 
States the example of William Wilberforce and his 
commitment to each and every person’s human dig-
nity, value, and freedom; 
(3) encourages the people of the United States, 
particularly the youth of the United States, to— 
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•HRES 158 IH 
(A) observe the anniversary of the abolition 
of the British slave trade; 
(B) reflect on Mr. Wilberforce’s selfless 
dedication to the fight against slavery and his 
commitment to the neediest in society; 
(C) commit themselves to recognize the 
value of every person; and 
(D) form high school clubs and groups 
working against modern day slavery and the 
trafficking of persons; and 
(4) condemns to the highest degree all forms of 
human trafficking and slavery which are an assault 
on human dignity and of which Mr. Wilberforce 
would steadfastly resist. 
Æ 
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