[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 79 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 79

  Recognizing the 155th anniversary of the House of Representatives' 
  rejection of the Lecompton Constitution of the Territory of Kansas.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 29, 2014

   Ms. Jenkins (for herself and Mr. Pompeo) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
  Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the 155th anniversary of the House of Representatives' 
  rejection of the Lecompton Constitution of the Territory of Kansas.

Whereas, on February 8, 1858, the Lecompton Constitution of the Territory of 
        Kansas was rejected by the House of Representatives;
Whereas the Lecompton Constitution was submitted to the House of Representatives 
        for the admission of State of Kansas to Union as a pro-slavery State;
Whereas the Lecompton Constitution was a frequent topic in the Lincoln-Douglas 
        Presidential debates of 1858;
Whereas the House of Representatives debate of the Lecompton Constitution caused 
        political schisms in the entirety of the House;
Whereas, on February 6, 1858, the debate of the Lecompton Constitution in the 
        United States House of Representatives resulted in the most infamous 
        floor brawl in the House's history;
Whereas the House of Representatives rejected the Lecompton Constitution and 
        admitted the State of Kansas to the Union as a free State;
Whereas the schisms caused by the debate over slavery were one of the crucial 
        factors leading to the Civil War;
Whereas the Civil War is one of the most significant periods of time in the 
        history of these United States;
Whereas the Civil War led to the abolition of slavery throughout the United 
        States as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation; and
Whereas the United States recognizes the inherent right of individual freedom of 
        every individual: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the rejection of the Lecompton Constitution 
        of the Territory of Kansas by the House of Representatives as a 
        critical action in admitting Kansas as a free State into the 
        Union of the United States;
            (2) celebrates the American belief of freedom as an 
        inherent right of individuals everywhere;
            (3) acknowledges the drafting and ensuing debate of the 
        Lecompton Constitution of Territory of Kansas as a significant 
        catalyst of the debate that would lead to the Civil War and the 
        ultimate abolition of slavery;
            (4) congratulates the city of Lecompton, Kansas, for 
        maintaining its historical heritage as a significant location 
        in American history; and
            (5) extends warm wishes to the residents of Lecompton, 
        Kansas, as they continue to celebrate their city's ongoing 
        importance in American history as the place ``Where Slavery 
        Began To Die''.
                                 <all>