IV
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 356
Acknowledging the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity
of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 19, 2000
Mr. HALL of Ohio (for himself, Mr. BONIOR, Ms. CARSON, Mrs. CLAYTON,
Mr. COBURN, Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. JACKSON-
LEE of Texas, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mr. LEWIS of Geor-
gia, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr.
RUSH, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. LEE, and Ms. KAPTUR) sub-
mitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Acknowledging the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality,
and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and
the 13 American colonies, and for other purposes.
Whereas approximately 4,000,000 Africans and their de-
scendants were enslaved in the United States and the 13
American colonies in the period 1619 through 1865;
Whereas slavery was a grave injustice that caused and con-
tinues to cause African-Americans to suffer enormous
damages and losses, both material and intangible, includ-
ing the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration
•HCON 356 IH
of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss
of income and opportunity;
Whereas slavery in the United States denied African-Ameri-
cans the fruits of their own labor and was an immoral
and inhumane deprivation of life, liberty, the pursuit of
happiness, citizenship rights, and cultural heritage;
Whereas, although the achievements of African-Americans in
overcoming the evils of slavery stand as a source of tre-
mendous inspiration, the successes of slaves and their de-
scendants do not overwrite the failure of the Nation to
grant all Americans their birthright of equality and the
civil rights that safeguard freedom;
Whereas an apology is an important and necessary step in
the process of racial reconciliation, because a sincere
apology accompanied by an attempt at real restitution is
an important healing interaction;
Whereas a genuine apology may restore damaged relation-
ships, whether they are between 2 people or between
groups of people;
Whereas African-American art, history, and culture reflects
experiences of slavery and freedom, and continued strug-
gles for full recognition of citizenship and treatment with
human dignity, and there is inadequate presentation,
preservation, and recognition of the contributions of Afri-
can-Americans within American society;
Whereas there is a great need for building institutions and
monuments to promote cultural understanding of Afri-
can-American heritage and further enhance racial har-
mony; and
Whereas it is proper and timely for the Congress to recognize
June 19, 1865, the historic day when the last group of
•HCON 356 IH
slaves were informed of their freedom, to acknowledge the
historic significance of the abolition of slavery, to express
deep regret to African-Americans, and to support rec-
onciliation efforts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That—
(1) the Congress—
(A) acknowledges the fundamental injus-
tice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slav-
ery in the United States and the 13 American
colonies;
(B) apologizes to African-Americans on be-
half of the people of the United States, for the
wrongs committed against their ancestors who
suffered as slaves;
(C) expresses condemnation of and repudi-
ates the gross and wanton excesses perpetrated
against African-Americans while the institution
of slavery existed;
(D) recognizes the Nation’s need to redress
these events;
(E) commends efforts of reconciliation ini-
tiated by organizations and individuals con-
cerned about civil rights and civil liberties and
calls for a national initiative of reconciliation
among the races; and