[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 199 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 199

   Celebrating the 200th August Quarterly Festival taking place from 
   August 18, 2013, through August 25, 2013, in Wilmington, Delaware.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 25, 2013

Mr. Coons submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Celebrating the 200th August Quarterly Festival taking place from 
   August 18, 2013, through August 25, 2013, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Whereas, 200 years before the date of agreement to this resolution, in 1813, 
        Peter Spencer founded the African Union Church, 1 of the first African-
        American institutions legally incorporated within the United States;
Whereas, 1 year later, in 1814, Spencer and the African Union Church convened 
        the first August Quarterly meeting and festival in Wilmington, Delaware, 
        bringing thousands of African-Americans together to celebrate their 
        faith;
Whereas the August Quarterly (or ``Big Quarterly'') Festival became a meeting 
        place for African-Americans celebrating freedom, sharing in solidarity, 
        and looking for relatives lost or sold in the institution of slavery, 
        and a means through which Harriett Tubman and other conductors and 
        station masters of the Underground Railroad met with those looking to 
        escape the bonds of slavery;
Whereas the August Quarterly Festival is well recognized as the longest 
        continuously celebrated African-American festival in the United States; 
        and
Whereas, from August 18, 2013, through August 25, 2013, thousands of people will 
        come together in Wilmington, Delaware, to celebrate the 200th August 
        Quarterly Festival: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates the 200th August Quarterly Festival taking 
        place from August 18, 2013, through August 25, 2013;
            (2) recognizes the historical significance of the August 
        Quarterly Festival and the role the festival has played since 
        1814 in celebrating faith, community, culture, and freedom;
            (3) honors the life of leadership, faith, and service of 
        Peter Spencer, founder of the African Union Church and of the 
        August Quarterly Festival; and
            (4) recognizes the service volunteers and religious leaders 
        who ensure that the legacy of Peter Spencer lives on through 
        the continuation of the August Quarterly Festival.
                                 <all>