IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1102 
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Rolihlahla 
Mandela, recognizing the significance of his contribution to democracy 
and racial equality in South Africa, and honoring his life-long dedication 
to building a more equitable and united world. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 23, 2010 
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ACK-
ERMAN, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. BORDALLO, Ms. CORRINE BROWN 
of Florida, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. COHEN, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. 
CRENSHAW, 
Mr. 
CROWLEY, 
Mr. 
CUMMINGS, 
Mr. 
ENGEL, 
Mr. 
FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. FATTAH, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. 
GRIJALVA, Mr. HONDA, Mr. INGLIS, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Ms. 
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. KIL-
PATRICK of Michigan, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Ms. 
NORTON, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. 
RUSH, Ms. LINDA T. SA´NCHEZ of California, Mr. THOMPSON of Mis-
sissippi, Mr. TOWNS, and Ms. WATSON) submitted the following resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Nel-
son Rolihlahla Mandela, recognizing the significance of 
his contribution to democracy and racial equality in 
South Africa, and honoring his life-long dedication to 
building a more equitable and united world. 
Whereas, February 11, 2010, marks the 20th anniversary of 
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s release from prison for his 
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•HRES 1102 IH 
actions as a leading member of the African National Con-
gress’ (ANC) efforts to dismantle the rule of apartheid; 
Whereas apartheid was a system of racial segregation that re-
stricted and prohibited Black South Africans and other 
people of color from utilizing certain public, educational, 
and health care facilities and services, and opportunities 
to access land, property, and wealth; 
Whereas, at 4:14 p.m. on February 11, 1990, Mandela exited 
the Victor Verster prison in Paarl ending 27 years, 6 
months, and 1 week of unbroken incarceration; 
Whereas the release of Nelson Mandela resulted from decades 
of international pressure through sanctions, including the 
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and the condemnation of 
apartheid by countless leaders, artists, intellectuals, and 
activists in Africa and around the world; 
Whereas Mandela used the Rivonia Trial as a forum to elo-
quently express his political beliefs, and privately decided 
that, if sentenced to death, he would not appeal the deci-
sion; 
Whereas Mandela spent the first 18 years of his incarceration 
at the infamous maximum security jail on Robben Island, 
and 7 years at facilities in Cape Town and Paarl before 
he was finally released; 
Whereas on the day of his release on February 11, 1990, 71- 
year-old Nelson Mandela addressed close to 60,000 peo-
ple of various ethnic backgrounds who gathered at City 
Hall in Cape Town to witness him giving a speech that 
was televised throughout South Africa and watched by 
tens of millions around the world; 
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•HRES 1102 IH 
Whereas his release was met with elation by supporters of the 
ANC who were rejoicing and dancing in the streets of 
Cape Town and throughout South Africa; 
Whereas Nelson Mandela and President F.W. de Klerk suc-
cessfully fought to hold together the threads of peaceful 
negotiation; 
Whereas on the day of his release, Nelson Mandela quoted 
the famous words from his testimony during his 1964 
trial that resulted in his 27-year incarceration, ‘‘I have 
fought against white domination and I have fought 
against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a 
democratic and free society in which all persons live to-
gether in harmony and with equal opportunities.’’; 
Whereas despite his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela never 
wavered from his resolve to create a free and democratic 
South Africa and initiated a dialogue with the apartheid 
regime, which culminated in his eventual release and the 
reinstatement of the ANC as a legitimate political party 
days before his release in 1990; 
Whereas the release of Nelson Mandela was a defining mo-
ment in the global effort to end apartheid; 
Whereas a series of negotiations between the South African 
Government and the ANC resulted in the abolishment of 
apartheid and an election in which almost 20,000,000 
South Africans of all ethnicities cast their vote under a 
national policy of universal suffrage; 
Whereas Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of 
the Republic of South Africa on May 10, 1994, and 
pledged to lead a ‘‘united, democratic, non-racial and 
non-sexist government’’ for all people of South Africa; 
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•HRES 1102 IH 
Whereas the presidency of Nelson Mandela saw distinct ad-
vancements toward racial equality in South Africa, as the 
nation transitioned from apartheid and minority rule to 
a country that aspired to achieve reconciliation, equality 
and peace; and 
Whereas Nelson Mandela’s life and work continue to inspire 
individuals living in South Africa and around the world: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) commemorates the 20th anniversary of Nel-
son Rolihlahla Mandela’s release from 27 years of 
unjust imprisonment; 
(2) recognizes the release of Nelson Mandela as 
a significant event in South Africa’s attempt to 
achieve an equal and democratic society; and 
(3) recognizes Nelson Mandela’s pivotal role in 
ending apartheid and as a figure of progress, 
strength, and reconciliation in South Africa and in 
the global community. 
Æ 
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