[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 84 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 84

Observing February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of the abolition 
 of the slave trade in the British Empire, honoring the distinguished 
 life and legacy of William Wilberforce, and encouraging the people of 
   the United States to follow the example of William Wilberforce by 
     selflessly pursuing respect for human rights around the world.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 15, 2007

   Mr. Brownback (for himself and Mr. Pryor) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Observing February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of the abolition 
 of the slave trade in the British Empire, honoring the distinguished 
 life and legacy of William Wilberforce, and encouraging the people of 
   the United States to follow the example of William Wilberforce by 
     selflessly pursuing respect for human rights around the world.

Whereas, at the age of 21, William Wilberforce was elected to the House of 
        Commons of Great Britain;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce and his colleagues actively engaged in many initiatives 
        with the sole purpose of renewing British culture at the turn of the 
        19th century in order to bring about positive social change;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce advocated prison reform that equally respected justice 
        and human dignity, and encouraged reconciliation;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce sought to improve the conditions for, and minimize the 
        use of, child laborers;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce dedicated his life to ending the British slave trade and 
        the abolition of slavery despite forceful opposition;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce was mentored by former slave trader and author of the 
        hymn ``Amazing Grace,'' John Newton, on the horrors and inhumanity of 
        the slave trade;
Whereas approximately 11,000,000 human beings were captured and taken from 
        Africa to the Western Hemisphere to be sold as commodities and forced 
        into slavery and bondage;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce fought for 20 years in the House of Commons to pass 
        legislation banning the slave trade;
Whereas, on February 23, 1807, Parliament passed a bill banning the slave trade 
        in the British Empire as a direct result of the efforts of Mr. 
        Wilberforce;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce inspired and encouraged those who opposed slavery in the 
        United States, including political leaders like John Quincy Adams, and 
        spread a message of hope and freedom throughout the United States;
Whereas Mr. Wilberforce labored for 46 years to abolish the institution of 
        slavery in the British Empire, ceaselessly defending those without a 
        voice in society;
Whereas, in 1833, Mr. Wilberforce was informed on his death bed that the House 
        of Commons had voted to abolish slavery altogether;
Whereas section 102(a) of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act 
        of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101(a)) states that human trafficking is ``a 
        contemporary manifestation of slavery whose victims are predominantly 
        women and children'';
Whereas the scourge of human slavery continues to pollute our world and assault 
        human dignity and freedom;
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 for use as bonded laborers or sex slaves, or for 
        other nefarious purposes;
Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates that there are more than 
        12,000,000 people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and 
        sexual servitude around the world, a number that is greater than the 
        number of slaves that existed at the time of Mr. Wilberforce's death;
Whereas all people must continue to fight, as Mr. Wilberforce fought, for the 
        true abolition of slavery and for respect for human dignity in all 
        aspects of modern culture; and
Whereas the people of the United States should carry on the legacy of William 
        Wilberforce by working to end the modern slave trade, human trafficking, 
        and the degradation of human dignity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) observes February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of 
        the ban of the slave trade in the British Empire;
            (2) recognizes the positive impact William Wilberforce had 
        on renewing the culture of his day and ending the inhumane 
        practice of human slavery;
            (3) commends to the people of the United States the example 
        of William Wilberforce and his commitment to the values of 
        inherent human dignity and freedom, which reside in each and 
        every human being;
            (4) encourages the people of the United States to--
                    (A) observe the 200th anniversary of the ban of the 
                slave trade in the British Empire;
                    (B) reflect on William Wilberforce's selfless 
                dedication to the fight against slavery and his 
                commitment to the neediest in society; and
                    (C) commit themselves to recognize the value of 
                human life and human dignity; and
            (5) unequivocally condemns all forms of human trafficking 
        and slavery, which are an assault on human dignity that William 
        Wilberforce would steadfastly resist.
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