[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 130 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        S.Con.Res.130
                                      Agreed to October 24, 2000        

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
             the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas the United States Capitol stands as a symbol of democracy, 
  equality, and freedom to the entire world;
Whereas the year 2000 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of 
  this historic structure for the first session of Congress to be held 
  in the new Capital City;
Whereas slavery was not prohibited throughout the United States until 
  the ratification of the 13th amendment to the Constitution in 1865;
Whereas previous to that date, African-American slave labor was both 
  legal and common in the District of Columbia and the adjoining States 
  of Maryland and Virginia;
Whereas public records attest to the fact that African-American slave 
  labor was used in the construction of the United States Capitol;
Whereas public records further attest to the fact that the five-dollar-
  per-month payment for that African-American slave labor was made 
  directly to slave owners and not to the laborer; and
Whereas African-Americans made significant contributions and fought 
  bravely for freedom during the American Revolutionary War: Now, 
  therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That--
        (1) the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
    President pro tempore of the Senate shall establish a special task 
    force to study the history and contributions of these slave 
    laborers in the construction of the United States Capitol; and
        (2) such special task force shall recommend to the Speaker of 
    the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the 
    Senate an appropriate recognition for these slave laborers which 
    could be displayed in a prominent location in the United States 
    Capitol.
  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.

  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.