Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act
PL 110-183 (H.R.3432), enacted 02/05/2008

122 STAT. 606 
PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 
Public Law 110–183 
110th Congress 
An Act 
To establish the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission on the Abolition 
of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) On March 2, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed 
into law a bill approved by the Congress ‘‘An Act to prohibit 
the importation of slaves into any port or place within the 
jurisdiction of the United States’’ (hereinafter in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act’’) and 
made it unlawful ‘‘to import or bring into the United States 
or territories thereof from any foreign kingdom, place or 
country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with intent 
to hold, sell, or dispose of such. . .as a slave, or to be held 
to service or labour’’. 
(2) Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution 
clearly spelled out that the international slave trade could 
not be banned before 1808, and it is only on January 1, 1808, 
that the 1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act went into effect. 
(3) An Act entitled ‘‘An Act to continue in force ‘An act 
to protect the commerce of the United States, and punish 
the crime of piracy,’ and also to make further provisions for 
punishing the crime of piracy’’, enacted May 15, 1820, made 
it unlawful for any citizen of the United States to engage 
‘‘in the slave trade, or. . ., being of the crew or ship’s company 
of any foreign ship. . ., seize any negro or mulatto. . .with the 
intent to make. . .a slave. . .or forcibly bring . . .on board any 
such ship....’’. 
(4) The transatlantic slave trade entailed the kidnapping, 
purchase, and commercial export of Africans, mostly from West 
and Central Africa, to the European colonies and new nations 
in the Americas, including the United States, where they were 
enslaved in forced labor between the 15th and mid-19th cen-
turies. 
(5) The term ‘‘Middle Passage’’ refers to the horrific part 
of the transatlantic slave trade when millions of Africans were 
chained together and stowed by the hundreds in overcrowded 
ships where they were forced into small spaces for months 
Commission on 
the Abolition of 
the Transatlantic 
Slave Trade Act. 
Feb. 5, 2008 
[H.R. 3432] 
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122 STAT. 607 
PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 
without relief as they were transported across the Atlantic 
Ocean to the Americas. 
(6) During the Middle Passage, enslaved Africans resisted 
their enslavement through non-violent and violent means, 
including hunger strikes, suicide, and shipboard revolts, the 
most historically-recognized events taking place on board the 
Don Carlos in 1732 and on board the Amistad in 1839. 
(7) Scholars estimate that, at a minimum, between 
10,000,000 and 15,000,000 Africans survived the Middle Pas-
sage, were imported as chattel through customs houses and 
ports across the Americas, and were sold into slavery. 
(8) The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States recognizes that ‘‘Neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party 
shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United 
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.’’. 
(9) The slave trade and the legacy of slavery continue 
to have a profound impact on social and economic disparity, 
hatred, bias, racism, and discrimination, and continue to affect 
people in the Americas, particularly those of African descent. 
(10) In 2007, the British Parliament marked the 200th 
anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the former 
British Empire with plans launched by the Department for 
Education and Skills which provided joint funding of £910,000 
($1,800,000) for the Understanding Slavery Initiative, and the 
Heritage Lottery Fund announced awards of over £20,000,000 
($40,000,000) for projects to commemorate the anniversary. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to establish the 
Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to— 
(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the bicenten-
nial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade 
by sponsoring and supporting commemorative programs; 
(2) cooperate with and assist programs and activities 
throughout the United States in observance of the bicentennial 
anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; 
(3) assist in ensuring that the observations of the bicenten-
nial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade 
are inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences of 
all people during this period in history; 
(4) support and facilitate international involvement in 
observances of the bicentennial anniversary of the abolition 
of the transatlantic slave trade; and 
(5) study the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on 
the United States and the Americas. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
There is established a commission to be known as the ‘‘Commis-
sion on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade’’ (referred 
to in this Act as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RELATED MATTERS. 
(a) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— 
(A) The Commission shall be composed of nine mem-
bers, of whom— 
(i) three shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives; 
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122 STAT. 608 
PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 
(ii) two shall be appointed by the majority leader 
of the Senate; 
(iii) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the House of Representatives; and 
(iv) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the Senate. 
(B) Each appointing authority described in subpara-
graph (A) shall appoint the initial members of the Commis-
sion not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Commission shall 
be individuals with demonstrated expertise or experience in 
the study and program facilitation on the transatlantic slave 
trade and the institution of slavery as it relates to the United 
States and the Americas. 
(3) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(A) TERM.—A member of the Commission shall be 
appointed for the life of the Commission. 
(B) VACANCIES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the Commission 
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member appointed to fill 
a vacancy on the Commission shall serve for the 
remainder of the term for which the predecessor of 
the member was appointed. 
(4) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall meet— 
(i) as many times as necessary; or 
(ii) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority 
of the members of the Commission. 
(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Commission have 
been appointed, the Commission shall hold its initial 
meeting. 
(C) NOTICE OF MEETINGS.—All Commission members 
shall be given reasonable advance notice of all Commission 
meetings. 
(D) APPOINTMENT
OF
CHAIRPERSON
AND
EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR.—Not later than 60 days after the date on which 
all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
Commission shall— 
(i) designate one of the members as Chairperson; 
and 
(ii) select an executive director as described under 
subsection (d)(2). 
(5) VOTING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall act only on 
an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
Commission. 
(B) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission, which includes at least one member appointed 
pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (1)(A), shall 
constitute a quorum for conducting business but fewer 
members may meet or hold hearings. 
(b) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
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122 STAT. 609 
PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 
appropriate to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary 
of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; 
(B) 
facilitate 
commemoration-related 
activities 
throughout the United States; 
(C) encourage civic, historical, educational, religious, 
economic, and other organizations, as well as State and 
local governments, throughout the United States to orga-
nize and participate in anniversary activities to expand 
the understanding and appreciation of the significance of 
the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
particularly as it relates to the United States; 
(D) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly 
research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the 
transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
particularly as it relates to the United States; 
(E) assist in the development of appropriate programs 
and facilities to ensure that the bicentennial anniversary 
of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade provides 
a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit; 
(F) support and facilitate marketing efforts for the 
issuance of a commemorative coin, postage stamp, and 
related activities for observances; 
(G) facilitate the convening of a joint meeting or joint 
session of the Congress for ceremonies and activities 
relating to the transatlantic slave trade and the institution 
of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; 
(H) promote the sponsorship of conferences, exhibi-
tions, or public meetings concerning the transatlantic slave 
trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it 
relates to the United States; 
(I) coordinate and facilitate the sponsorship of high 
school and collegiate essay contests concerning the trans-
atlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particu-
larly as it relates to the United States; and 
(J) examine reports of modern-day slavery and human 
trafficking to raise the public’s awareness of these matters 
and ensure such atrocities do not go unnoticed by the 
people of the United States. 
(2) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than March 31, 2009, the 
Commission shall submit to the Congress a report containing 
a summary of the activities of the Commission for 2008. 
(c) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission may— 
(1) accept donations and gift items related to the trans-
atlantic slave trade, the institution of slavery, and the signifi-
cance of slavery to the history of the United States; 
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission 
determines necessary to carry out this Act; 
(3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission 
to take any action that the Commission is authorized to take 
under this Act; 
(4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or 
enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to carry 
out this Act (except that any contracts, leases, or other legal 
agreements made or entered into by the Commission shall 
not extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commis-
sion); and 
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122 STAT. 610 
PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and 
under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. 
(d) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(A) BASIC PAY.—Members of the Commission shall not 
receive compensation for the performance of their duties 
on behalf of the Commission. 
(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Upon approval of the Chair-
person, a member of the Commission shall be allowed 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under 
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
while away from their homes or regular place of business 
in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Commis-
sion. 
(2) STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the Commission 
shall, without regard to the civil service laws (including 
regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director 
and such other additional personnel as are necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform its duties. 
(B) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.— 
(i) QUALIFICATIONS.—The person appointed execu-
tive director shall have demonstrated expertise or 
experience in the study and program facilitation on 
the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of 
slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States. 
(ii) CONFIRMATION.—The employment of an execu-
tive director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
members of the Commission. 
(C) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of the Commis-
sion may fix the compensation of the executive director 
and other personnel without regard to the provisions of 
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
United States Code, relating to classification of positions 
and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of 
pay for the executive director and other personnel may 
not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5316 of such title. 
(D) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES.—Not-
withstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, 
the Commission may accept and use voluntary and 
uncompensated services as the Commission determines nec-
essary. 
(e) PROCUREMENT
OF TEMPORARY
AND INTERMITTENT SERV-
ICES.—The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary 
and intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b) of 
title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not 
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay pre-
scribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 
of that title. 
(f) NON-APPLICABILITY OF FACA.—Section 14(b) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
Commission. 
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122 STAT. 611 
PUBLIC LAW 110–183—FEB. 5, 2008 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3432: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 153 (2007): Oct. 2, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 19, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Vol. 154 (2008): Jan. 22, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
SEC. 5. TERMINATION. 
(a) DATE OF TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on December 31, 2009. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Upon termination, the Commission shall 
submit to the Congress a report containing— 
(1) a detailed statement of the activities of the Commission; 
and 
(2) a final accounting of the funds received and expended 
by the Commission. 
Approved February 5, 2008. 
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