[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 114 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 114

    Expressing the Sense of the Congress with respect to Paul Leroy 
                                Robeson.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 26, 2001

  Mr. Rangel submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the Sense of the Congress with respect to Paul Leroy 
                                Robeson.

Whereas April 9, 2001, marked the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Paul Leroy 
        Robeson, a great actor, athlete, scholar, author, humanitarian, and 
        fighter for civil rights for people throughout the world;
Whereas Paul Leroy Robeson's life of achievement made him truly one of the 20th 
        century's Renaissance figures and a role model for youth;
Whereas Paul Leroy Robeson received an academic scholarship at Rutgers 
        University where he was All-American in football, class valedictorian, 
        and Phi Beta Kappa, and held four varsity letters, and he later 
        graduated from law school at Columbia University;
Whereas Paul Leroy Robeson was a lawyer, author, world-renowned theatrical 
        performer, and singer who spoke 20 languages and sang songs in over 50 
        languages all around the globe;
Whereas, with the rise of fascism in Europe, Paul Leroy Robeson's political 
        consciousness grew and he donated proceeds from his stage performances 
        to Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler in 1933 and traveled to Spain the next 
        year to support the anti-fascist forces supporting the Abraham Lincoln 
        Brigade;
Whereas in our country Paul Leroy Robeson spoke out strongly for labor and civil 
        rights and at the height of the McCarthy hysteria had his passport 
        revoked for eight years because of his outspoken opposition to racism 
        and colonialism;
Whereas the persecution which Paul Leroy Robeson suffered during the McCarthy 
        Era represents the types of actions the Constitution and the Bill of 
        Rights were designed to prevent; and
Whereas Paul Leroy Robeson was denied this protection, sacrificed his fame and 
        fortune, and endured great personal hardship for his steadfast 
        principle: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) Paul Leroy Robeson was never accused nor convicted of 
        any crime against the United States and that his reputation 
        should be fully restored;
            (2) Paul Leroy Robeson should be recognized internationally 
        as a pivotal 20th century figure and fighter in the struggle 
        for human rights; and
            (3) the President should take appropriate measures to 
        encourage the celebration and remembrance of his achievements.
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