Original Slavery Remembrance Month Resolution
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 67
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-04T08:06:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution, titled the "Original Slavery Remembrance Month Resolution," aims to designate August as "Slavery Remembrance Month." It serves as a national reminder of the horrors of slavery in the United States, its lasting negative effects on society, and the efforts of individuals who fought to end it, recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity.
Key Provisions
- Designation of the Month: The House of Representatives and Senate support annually observing August as Slavery Remembrance Month to honor enslaved people, condemn slavery worldwide, and highlight "freedom fighters" (individuals who resisted or abolished slavery).
- Historical Context: The resolution includes detailed "whereas" clauses outlining key events, such as the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia in 1619, the Atlantic slave trade's scale (millions abducted, with high mortality during the "Middle Passage" voyage), and the brutal conditions of enslavement, including family separations, harsh labor, and health issues.
- Recognition of Freedom Fighters: It posthumously honors early Black Members of Congress from the Reconstruction Era (post-Civil War period) as honorary cosponsors. It also profiles key figures like Prince Hall (abolitionist and founder of Black Freemasonry), Nat Turner (leader of an 1831 slave rebellion), Harriet Tubman (escaped enslavement and led rescues via the Underground Railroad), and John Brown (White abolitionist who fought slavery).
- Condemnation of Slavery's Legacies: Explicitly denounces ongoing effects of slavery, including convict leasing (a post-slavery system renting prisoners to private businesses, often targeting Black people), Black codes (restrictive laws post-Civil War), Jim Crow laws (segregation-era rules enforcing racial separation), mass lynching (extrajudicial killings), lawful segregation, police brutality, mass incarceration, and systemic racism (institutionalized discrimination).
- Calls to Action: Encourages public acknowledgment of slavery's importance in history and authorizes the President to issue a proclamation urging Americans to observe the month with ceremonies and activities, such as educational events.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding joint resolution, meaning it expresses Congress's opinion and does not create enforceable laws or amend statutes. It introduces no direct changes to existing U.S. law, but builds on historical recognitions like the 13th Amendment (1865), which abolished slavery except as punishment for crime.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase public awareness and education about slavery's history and ongoing racial inequalities, fostering discussions on reconciliation and social justice. It could inspire community events, school programs, or memorials, potentially benefiting descendants of enslaved people by validating their historical experiences.
- On Government Agencies: Encourages symbolic actions, such as presidential proclamations or federal observances, which might involve agencies like the National Park Service (for sites like Fort Monroe) or the Department of Education in promoting related curricula. No funding or mandates are imposed.
- On International Relations: Highlights U.S. condemnation of global slavery, potentially aligning with international human rights efforts (e.g., UN anti-trafficking initiatives), but has minimal direct foreign policy effects as it focuses on domestic history.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- African American Communities: Directly honors their ancestors' struggles and recognizes ongoing impacts of slavery, potentially empowering advocacy for reparations or equity.
- Educators and Historians: Provides a framework for teaching about slavery, freedom fighters, and systemic racism, influencing curricula and public history programs.
- General Public and Civil Rights Organizations: Encourages broader societal reflection, benefiting groups focused on racial justice, such as the NAACP or historical societies.
- Government Officials: Members of Congress and the President are involved in promotion, with indirect effects on agencies handling cultural or educational programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a resolution, it has no legal force but reinforces constitutional values like equality under the 14th Amendment (post-Civil War protection of rights) and free speech by promoting historical remembrance without restricting expression.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the First Amendment's support for public discourse on history and social issues; it avoids controversy by focusing on condemnation rather than mandating actions.
- Political: Symbolically advances discussions on racial reconciliation in a divided political climate, potentially influencing partisan debates on history education (e.g., critical race theory). Introduced by bipartisan sponsors, it highlights cross-party support for acknowledging America's past while critiquing persistent inequalities, which could shape future legislation on civil rights.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (37)
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Bynum, Janelle [D-OR-5], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Original Slavery Remembrance Month Resolution — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (11 pages)