Expressing support for the designation of April 10, 2022 as "Venture Smith Freedom Day".

Bill: 117-hres-1044
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2022-04-07
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Connecticut

Racial and ethnic relations

U.S. history
Latest action: action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-04-07
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution supports the designation of Venture Smith Freedom Day to recognize the 257th anniversary of Venture Smith purchasing his freedom from slavery.</p>

tv_txt: IV 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1044 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 7, 2022 Ms. DeLauro submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of April 10, 2022, as Venture Smith Freedom Day .

Whereas, in about 1729, Venture Smith was born free in West Africa and, in 1739, was seized from his home and enslaved in New England; Whereas 257 years ago, in the year 1765, Venture Smith, at the age of 36, purchased his freedom; Whereas Venture Smith went on to free his family from the bondage of slavery; Whereas Venture Smith became a successful landowner, businessman, and author in the United States, generations before Black Americans began to obtain constitutional, legal, social, and economic rights; Whereas, in November 1798, Venture Smith was the first African American to write and publish his own autobiography; Whereas Venture Smith was the first person to write and publish the phrase, My freedom is a privilege which nothing else can equal ; Whereas Venture Smith died a free man on September 19, 1805, in Connecticut; and Whereas April 10 would be an appropriate date to designate as Venture Smith Freedom Day : Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives supports the designation of Venture Smith Freedom Day , which would recognize the 257th anniversary of Venture Smith purchasing his freedom and going on to become a landowner, businessman, and author in Connecticut.