[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING THE 135TH ANNIVERSARY OF D.C. EMANCIPATION

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                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 1997

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, last month, I had the honor of 
participating in an event commemorating one of the greatest events in 
our Nation's history--the 135th anniversary of the emancipation of the 
District of Columbia. On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln 
signed into law legislation freeing the more than 3,000 slaves owned by 
residents of the District of Columbia. The action occurred 9 months 
before LIncoln's Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 
1863.
  The mission to free the slaves in the District of Columbia began 
following a discussion in early 1862 between President Lincoln and 
Senator Sumner of Massachusetts. During the conversation, Sumner asked 
the President if he knew who was the largest slaveholder in the United 
States. President Lincoln must have been jolted when Sumner answered, 
``It is you, Mr. President.''
  At that time, the Federal Government controlled the District of 
Columbia, where more than 3,000 slaves were held in bondage. Shortly 
thereafter, Congress passed legislation to free the slaves in the 
District of Columbia, and President Lincoln signed the D.C. 
Emancipation Proclamation. The first of our Nation's slaves had been 
set free.
  This week, many great people came together in the District of 
Columbia to celebrate this momentous event. Among them was a wonderful 
woman named Loretta Carter Hanes, who along with her son, Peter, helped 
revive the annual program commemorating the D.C. Emancipation 
Proclamation. I must also thank my distinguished colleague, 
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia, for 
her great work in the district and her diligence in making sure the 
commemoration ceremony continues year after year.
  I was honored to be included in the commemoration program at the U.S. 
Department of the Interior. Sponsored by the U.S. National Park Service 
and D.C. Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., the 2-hour program featured 
reflections on history and prayers for the future. Particularly moving 
were the beautiful spiritual songs performed throughout the program. 
They represented the powerful hopes of the slaves as they one day 
dreamed of freedom.
  Overall, it was an amazing program celebrating an amazing event in 
history. The only disappointing point of note were the hordes of empty 
seats in the main auditorium at the Department of the Interior. There 
should be standing room only for a program of this magnitude.
  After speaking with the organizers of this year's event, we 
determined the D.C. emancipation commemoration would get more 
exposure--and thus more attendance--by presenting it in the Capitol 
next year. Not only should we encourage our schools to offer this 
program to their students, but Members of this body should attend as 
well.
  I, also would like to bring attention to a related event that is 
going to take place tonight at the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn 
Museum and Sculpture Garden. This event is called the International 
Emancipation Day Initiative Program and will examine the abolition of 
chattel slavery by the British Empire within its colonies on August 1, 
1834, a historic action which fueled abolitionists movements worldwide. 
Included at this event, Peter Hanes will speak and exhibit literature 
about D.C. emancipation. He will also introduce D.C. emancipation 
historian C.R. Gibbs, noted author, journalist, and historian of the 
African Diaspora.

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