Bill > HJRes113

This resolution establishes August 20th as "Slavery Remembrance Day" to commemorate the arrival of the first 20 enslaved Africans in what is now Virginia in 1619 and to acknowledge the profound historical and ongoing impacts of slavery in the United States. The resolution provides extensive historical context about the Atlantic slave trade, detailing the brutal conditions of the Middle Passage, the systematic separation of enslaved families, and the experiences of notable figures like Harriet Tubman and Nat Turner. It highlights the broader historical trajectory of slavery, including the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the 13th Amendment's abolition of slavery, and the subsequent challenges faced by African Americans such as convict leasing, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing systemic racism. The resolution calls for national recognition of this painful history, urging the President to issue a proclamation encouraging Americans to observe Slavery Remembrance Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, with the ultimate goal of condemning slavery and its lasting societal consequences while honoring the resilience and contributions of enslaved people who, "despite the horrors of slavery and against all odds," fundamentally shaped American history.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-joint-resolution/113/all-info