[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 158 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 158

 Observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave 
trade and encouraging the people of the United States, particularly the 
youth of the United States, to remember the life and legacy of William 
 Wilberforce, a member of the British House of Commons who devoted his 
 life to the suppression and abolition of the institution of slavery, 
  and to work for the protection of human rights throughout the world.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 13, 2007

   Mr. Pitts (for himself, Mr. Payne, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Smith of New 
Jersey, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Clyburn, 
  Mr. Flake, Mr. Poe, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Gary G. Miller of 
  California, Mr. Boozman, Mrs. Musgrave, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Wilson of 
  South Carolina, Mr. Pence, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Barrett of 
   South Carolina, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Weldon of Florida, Mr. 
    Cantor, Mr. Rogers of Michigan, and Mr. Sessions) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Observing the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave 
trade and encouraging the people of the United States, particularly the 
youth of the United States, to remember the life and legacy of William 
 Wilberforce, a member of the British House of Commons who devoted his 
 life to the suppression and abolition of the institution of slavery, 
  and to work for the protection of human rights throughout the world.

Whereas in 1780, William Wilberforce was elected at the age of 21 years to the 
        British House of Commons;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce and his friends were active in at least 69 different 
        projects focusing on issues such as prison reform, education, child 
        labor conditions, animal cruelty, and the reformation of the culture;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce was mentored and counseled by former slave trader and 
        author of the hymn ``Amazing Grace'', John Newton, on the horrors of the 
        slave trade;
Whereas at the time, 11 million human beings had been captured and taken from 
        Africa to the Western hemisphere and forced into slavery and bondage;
Whereas at the time, the British Empire controlled the largest portion of the 
        slave trade;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce devoted his life to the suppression and abolition of the 
        institution of slavery;
Whereas a dedicated group of like-minded reformers, the Clapham group, assisted, 
        supported, and encouraged Mr. Wilberforce in his fight against the slave 
        trade;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce fought for 20 years in the House of Commons to pass 
        legislation banning the slave trade;
Whereas on February 23, 1807, Britain passed a bill banning the slave trade;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce helped inspire and encourage those who fought against 
        slavery in the United States, including political leaders like John 
        Quincy Adams, spreading a message of hope and freedom throughout America 
        and the promise of the future;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce labored 46 years to abolish the institution of slavery 
        in the British Empire, ceaselessly defending those without a voice 
        within society;
Whereas in 1833, Mr. Wilberforce was informed on his death bed that the House of 
        Commons had voted to abolish slavery;
Whereas in 2006, the United States Department of State estimated that between 
        600,000 and 800,000 men, women, and children were trafficked across 
        international borders;
Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates that there are more than 
        12 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and 
        sexual servitude around the world; and
Whereas the people of the United States, particularly the youth of the United 
        States, are called upon to form clubs and groups dedicated to working 
        against the modern slave trade, human trafficking, and the degradation 
        of human dignity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) observes the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the 
        British slave trade;
            (2) commends to the people of the United States the example 
        of William Wilberforce and his commitment to each and every 
        person's human dignity, value, and freedom;
            (3) encourages the people of the United States, 
        particularly the youth of the United States, to--
                    (A) observe the anniversary of the abolition of the 
                British slave trade;
                    (B) reflect on Mr. Wilberforce's selfless 
                dedication to the fight against slavery and his 
                commitment to the neediest in society;
                    (C) commit themselves to recognize the value of 
                every person; and
                    (D) form high school clubs and groups working 
                against modern day slavery and the trafficking of 
                persons; and
            (4) condemns to the highest degree all forms of human 
        trafficking and slavery which are an assault on human dignity 
        and of which Mr. Wilberforce would steadfastly resist.
                                 <all>