[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 161 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 161

Recognizing the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of African slaves 
    in the Danish West Indies, now the United States Virgin Islands.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 30, 1997

  Ms. Christian-Green (for herself, Mr. Dellums, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. 
Frank of Massachusetts, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Filner, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Watts 
  of Oklahoma, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. 
 Frost, and Mr. Dixon) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
          which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of African slaves 
    in the Danish West Indies, now the United States Virgin Islands.

Whereas prior to July 3, 1848, many Africans were held as slaves on the islands 
        of the Danish West Indies, now the United States Virgin Islands;
Whereas on July 3, 1848, under the leadership of Moses ``General Budhoe'' 
        Gottlieb, the African slaves on the island of St. Croix responded to the 
        signal of the blowing of conch shells by leaving their plantations to 
        converge on Fort Frederik in the town of Frederiksted;
Whereas in Frederiksted the African slaves demanded their freedom and threatened 
        to destroy the island by fire unless it was granted by 4 o'clock that 
        afternoon;
Whereas, confronted by reports of arson and insurrection, the Danish governor, 
        Peter von Scholten, met the African slaves in Frederiksted and declared 
        that ``all unfree in the Danish West Indies are from today free'';
Whereas the heroes of this rebellion paid a high price, General Budhoe being 
        sent into exile, and Governor von Scholten being convicted in Denmark of 
        dereliction of duty and of exceeding his authority;
Whereas July 3 of each year is designated as Emancipation Day in the United 
        States Virgin Islands to commemorate the 1848 emancipation of African 
        slaves and its significance in the history of the islands and the United 
        States;
Whereas the annual observance of Emancipation Day on July 3 and National 
        Independence Day on July 4 serves to connect Virgin Islanders and all 
        Americans to their past and to reinforce their unwavering commitment to 
        preserve, protect, and defend human rights and freedom; and
Whereas July 3, 1998, will be the 150th anniversary of the dramatic and 
        inspiring emancipation of African slaves that is celebrated each July 3: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress recognizes--
            (1) the historic significance of the 150th anniversary of 
        the emancipation of African slaves in what is now the United 
        States Virgin Islands; and
            (2) that, as loyal citizens of the United States since 
        1917, the descendants of those who were freed have contributed 
        significantly to the Nation.
                                 <all>