[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 656 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 656

 Honoring John Brown's relentless endeavors in his pursuit of liberty 
 for all human beings, his unyielding opposition to the institution of 
 slavery, and his significant role in the abolition of this monstrous 
                        crime against humanity.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            August 18, 2023

   Mr. Green of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring John Brown's relentless endeavors in his pursuit of liberty 
 for all human beings, his unyielding opposition to the institution of 
 slavery, and his significant role in the abolition of this monstrous 
                        crime against humanity.

Whereas this resolution may be cited as the ``Original Resolution Honoring John 
        Brown'';
Whereas the United States was established on the majestic inalienable rights of 
        life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as proclaimed in the 
        Declaration of Independence;
Whereas these fundamental inalienable rights, despite being declared the moral 
        compass of our Nation, were not initially applied to all of its 
        inhabitants;
Whereas this was especially evident in the early chapters of our history where 
        slavery stood in stark contradiction to these noble ideals;
Whereas, throughout history, countless courageous souls have endeavored to 
        ensure these rights were honored for all people, irrespective of their 
        race, ethnicity, or origins;
Whereas, in the face of the contradictions of the early United States, many 
        brave patriots of different hues took it upon themselves the task of 
        shaping the Nation toward its founding ideals;
Whereas Paul Revere was the Anglo patriot whose midnight ride in 1775 symbolized 
        the quest for liberty as he informed fellow Americans of the impending 
        battle for their rights;
Whereas Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native American descent, became a 
        martyr in the fight for liberty, making the ultimate sacrifice as the 
        first casualty of the American Revolution in the Boston Massacre of 
        1770, personifying the high cost of liberty;
Whereas John Brown, a White patriot who epitomized the momentous fight for 
        liberty, held an unwavering conviction in the absolute immorality of 
        slavery and dedicated his life to abolishing this reprehensible crime 
        against humanity in the United States;
Whereas John Brown raised awareness about the inhumanity of slavery while 
        galvanizing support for its abolition;
Whereas John Brown's liberation tactics, which included his participation in the 
        violent conflict known as ``Bleeding Kansas'' as well as his raid on 
        Harpers Ferry in then-Virginia, influenced the course of the Nation's 
        history;
Whereas the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, orchestrated by John Brown, was a 
        watershed moment that sparked national debate on slavery and fast-
        tracked the Nation toward the Civil War and ultimately the Emancipation 
        Proclamation;
Whereas John Brown's sacrifice in the face of oppressive powers was a 
        demonstration of his profound belief in liberty;
Whereas John Brown's liberation tactics played a pivotal role in pushing our 
        Nation toward the fulfillment of its founding principles of life, 
        liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
Whereas recognition of John Brown's contribution to life, liberty, and the 
        pursuit of happiness fosters a better understanding of the struggles 
        faced in our journey toward the abolition of the horrific crime against 
        humanity known as slavery;
Whereas John Brown's life and legacy evoke reflection on our Nation's history 
        and the high cost of liberty;
Whereas, like Crispus Attucks, John Brown should be honored for sacrificing his 
        life in the name of liberty; and
Whereas, just as Paul Revere's midnight ride was a harbinger of the battle 
        between the colonies and Britain to come, John Brown's raid on the 
        Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry to initiate a slave revolution was a 
        harbinger of the war between slave and free States to come: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This resolution may be cited as the ``Original Resolution Honoring 
John Brown''.

SEC. 2. HONORING JOHN BROWN.

    That the House of Representatives--
            (1) acknowledges and honors John Brown's relentless 
        endeavors in his pursuit of liberty for all human beings, his 
        unyielding opposition to the institution of slavery, and his 
        significant role in the abolition of this monstrous crime 
        against humanity; and
            (2) encourages every American to reflect on our Nation's 
        diverse and complex history as we strive for a more perfect 
        Union, one that is truly inclusive and upholds the majestic, 
        inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
        happiness for all.
                                 <all>