[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E5]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REINTRODUCTION OF H.R. 40, COMMISSION TO STUDY REPARATIONS PROPOSALS 
                       FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to re-introduce H.R. 40, the 
Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, 
along with 22 original cosponsors. Since I first introduced H.R. 40 in 
1989, we have made substantial progress in elevating this issue in the 
national consciousness. Through legislation, state and local 
resolutions, and litigation, we are moving closer to a full dialogue on 
the role of slavery in building this country.
  Across the nation, three state legislatures: Louisiana, California 
and Florida, have passed resolutions supporting H.R. 40. Another three 
states: New Jersey, New York and Texas, have legislation pending. At 
the local level, the legislation has gained similar support, with 12 
major cities having passed similar supporting resolutions.
  However, despite this progress, the legacy of slavery lingers heavily 
in this nation. While we have focused on the social effects of slavery 
and segregation, its continuing economic implications have been largely 
ignored by mainstream analysis. These economic issues are the root 
cause of many critical issues in the African-American community today, 
such as education, healthcare, and crime. The call for reparations 
represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue on the role 
of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions in our 
community and American society.
  H.R. 40 is designed to create a formal dialogue on the issue of 
reparations through the establishment of a national commission to 
examine the institution of slavery. The commission will study the 
impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African-
Americans, resulting directly and indirectly from slavery, during the 
apartheid of reconstruction, desegregation, and the present day. The 
commission would also make recommendations concerning any form of 
apology and compensation to begin the long delayed process of 
atonement.
  The issue of reparations remains sensitive in many communities 
because of the basic question of money. Statements dismissing 
reparations on the grounds of payment issues, however, are completely 
premature, especially when we have not yet had a national dialogue or 
study of the area. Economists have told us that the value of slave 
labor to the American economy and potential damages are greater that $7 
trillion. Such a staggering sum indicates that the discussion of 
reparations must be about something other than money.
  However, I must stress that the reparations issue is not about a 
check to individuals. The call for reparations represents a commitment 
to entering a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism 
in shaping American society. Everyone profited from the labor of the 
slaves, even later immigrants, because slave labor and the taxes from 
those enterprises built the infrastructure of this nation. The debt we 
talk about is not centuries old, but dates back only a few decades and 
is within our lifetimes because of Jim Crow.
  This nation must make a commitment to understanding how the legacy of 
slavery and its vestiges contribute to present day societal and 
economic inequality. That is why I re-introduce H.R. 40 at the opening 
of every Congress and sponsor a forum on reparations during every 
Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference. We must be diligent 
in our efforts to educate this nation about its history. I hope that in 
this 109th Congress, we can schedule formal hearings on this 
legislation to begin the process of having our nation finally 
acknowledge its debt.

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