[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1102 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1102

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Rolihlahla 
Mandela, recognizing the significance of his contribution to democracy 
    and racial equality in South Africa, and honoring his life-long 
       dedication to building a more equitable and united world.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 23, 2010

   Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Mr. Berman, Mr. Rangel, Mr. 
  Ackerman, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Corrine Brown of 
 Florida, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Crenshaw, 
Mr. Crowley, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Engel, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Fattah, Ms. 
Fudge, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Honda, Mr. Inglis, Ms. 
 Jackson Lee of Texas, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Johnson 
   of Georgia, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. 
McDermott, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Meeks of New York, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, 
Ms. Norton, Mr. Payne, Mr. Polis of Colorado, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Rush, 
 Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. 
 Towns, and Ms. Watson) submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Rolihlahla 
Mandela, recognizing the significance of his contribution to democracy 
    and racial equality in South Africa, and honoring his life-long 
       dedication to building a more equitable and united world.

Whereas, February 11, 2010, marks the 20th anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla 
        Mandela's release from prison for his actions as a leading member of the 
        African National Congress' (ANC) efforts to dismantle the rule of 
        apartheid;
Whereas apartheid was a system of racial segregation that restricted and 
        prohibited Black South Africans and other people of color from utilizing 
        certain public, educational, and health care facilities and services, 
        and opportunities to access land, property, and wealth;
Whereas, at 4:14 p.m. on February 11, 1990, Mandela exited the Victor Verster 
        prison in Paarl ending 27 years, 6 months, and 1 week of unbroken 
        incarceration;
Whereas the release of Nelson Mandela resulted from decades of international 
        pressure through sanctions, including the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and 
        the condemnation of apartheid by countless leaders, artists, 
        intellectuals, and activists in Africa and around the world;
Whereas Mandela used the Rivonia Trial as a forum to eloquently express his 
        political beliefs, and privately decided that, if sentenced to death, he 
        would not appeal the decision;
Whereas Mandela spent the first 18 years of his incarceration at the infamous 
        maximum security jail on Robben Island, and 7 years at facilities in 
        Cape Town and Paarl before he was finally released;
Whereas on the day of his release on February 11, 1990, 71-year-old Nelson 
        Mandela addressed close to 60,000 people of various ethnic backgrounds 
        who gathered at City Hall in Cape Town to witness him giving a speech 
        that was televised throughout South Africa and watched by tens of 
        millions around the world;
Whereas his release was met with elation by supporters of the ANC who were 
        rejoicing and dancing in the streets of Cape Town and throughout South 
        Africa;
Whereas Nelson Mandela and President F.W. de Klerk successfully fought to hold 
        together the threads of peaceful negotiation;
Whereas on the day of his release, Nelson Mandela quoted the famous words from 
        his testimony during his 1964 trial that resulted in his 27-year 
        incarceration, ``I have fought against white domination and I have 
        fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a 
        democratic and free society in which all persons live together in 
        harmony and with equal opportunities.'';
Whereas despite his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela never wavered from his resolve 
        to create a free and democratic South Africa and initiated a dialogue 
        with the apartheid regime, which culminated in his eventual release and 
        the reinstatement of the ANC as a legitimate political party days before 
        his release in 1990;
Whereas the release of Nelson Mandela was a defining moment in the global effort 
        to end apartheid;
Whereas a series of negotiations between the South African Government and the 
        ANC resulted in the abolishment of apartheid and an election in which 
        almost 20,000,000 South Africans of all ethnicities cast their vote 
        under a national policy of universal suffrage;
Whereas Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of the Republic of South 
        Africa on May 10, 1994, and pledged to lead a ``united, democratic, non-
        racial and non-sexist government'' for all people of South Africa;
Whereas the presidency of Nelson Mandela saw distinct advancements toward racial 
        equality in South Africa, as the nation transitioned from apartheid and 
        minority rule to a country that aspired to achieve reconciliation, 
        equality and peace; and
Whereas Nelson Mandela's life and work continue to inspire individuals living in 
        South Africa and around the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commemorates the 20th anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla 
        Mandela's release from 27 years of unjust imprisonment;
            (2) recognizes the release of Nelson Mandela as a 
        significant event in South Africa's attempt to achieve an equal 
        and democratic society; and
            (3) recognizes Nelson Mandela's pivotal role in ending 
        apartheid and as a figure of progress, strength, and 
        reconciliation in South Africa and in the global community.
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