[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 157 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 196

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                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2005

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House considered the 
recognition of the anniversary of the 13th amendment, H. Res. 196. On 
the 31st day of January, 1865, the 13th amendment was proposed to the 
State legislatures by the 38th Congress and ratified by 27 of the 36 
State legislatures on December 6, 1865. January 31, 1865, the day the 
House passed the proposal, the gallery which had just opened to 
African-Americans erupted into cheers and Representatives on the House 
floor were visibly emotional, crying and hugging each other. Slavery 
had ended and the deep roots of the modern civil rights movement were 
planted.
  Although the abolition of slavery did not mean equality for all 
Americans, the amendment initiated a civil rights movement that 
continues to this day.
  Through the ratification of this landmark legislation, our government 
initiated the process to work towards uniting the American people. 
Their actions also inspired the eventual passage of the 14th amendment, 
which granted equal protection under the law, the 15th amendment, which 
gave African-American males the right to vote, and the 19th amendment 
which granted universal suffrage to all women.
  Despite these monumental changes in our Nation's constitution, 
African-Americans and other minorities continue to experience social 
and economical injustices. I submit to you Mr. Speaker that we still 
have a long way to go to rid our Nation of the vestiges of slavery and 
discrimination. By passing this legislation, we are renewing a national 
commitment towards eradicating racial and ethnic inequalities.

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