[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3723-S3724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE

  The resolution (S. Res. 84), observing February 23, 2007, as the 
200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British 
Empire, honoring the distinguished life and legacy of William 
Wilberforce, and encouraging the people of the United States to follow 
the example of William Wilberforce by selflessly pursuing respect for 
human rights around the world, was considered and agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 84

       Whereas, at the age of 21, William Wilberforce was elected 
     to the House of Commons of Great Britain;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce and his colleagues actively engaged 
     in many initiatives with the sole purpose of renewing British 
     culture at the turn of the 19th century in order to bring 
     about positive social change;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce advocated prison reform that 
     equally respected justice and human dignity, and encouraged 
     reconciliation;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce sought to improve the conditions 
     for, and minimize the use of, child laborers;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce dedicated his life to ending the 
     British slave trade and the abolition of slavery despite 
     forceful opposition;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce was mentored by former slave trader 
     and author of the hymn ``Amazing Grace,'' John Newton, on the 
     horrors and inhumanity of the slave trade;
       Whereas approximately 11,000,000 human beings were captured 
     and taken from Africa to the Western Hemisphere to be sold as 
     commodities and forced into slavery and bondage;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce fought for 20 years in the House of 
     Commons to pass legislation banning the slave trade;
       Whereas, on February 23, 1807, Parliament passed a bill 
     banning the slave trade in the British Empire as a direct 
     result of the efforts of Mr. Wilberforce;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce inspired and encouraged those who 
     opposed slavery in the United States, including political 
     leaders like John Quincy Adams, and spread a message of hope 
     and freedom throughout the United States;
       Whereas Mr. Wilberforce labored for 46 years to abolish the 
     institution of slavery in

[[Page S3724]]

     the British Empire, ceaselessly defending those without a 
     voice in society;
       Whereas, in 1833, Mr. Wilberforce was informed on his death 
     bed that the House of Commons had voted to abolish slavery 
     altogether;
       Whereas section 102(a) of the Victims of Trafficking and 
     Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101(a)) states 
     that human trafficking is ``a contemporary manifestation of 
     slavery whose victims are predominantly women and children'';
       Whereas the scourge of human slavery continues to pollute 
     our world and assault human dignity and freedom;
       Whereas, in 2006, the United States Department of State 
     estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 men, women, and 
     children were trafficked across international borders for use 
     as bonded laborers or sex slaves, or for other nefarious 
     purposes;
       Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates 
     that there are more than 12,000,000 people in forced labor, 
     bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude around 
     the world, a number that is greater than the number of slaves 
     that existed at the time of Mr. Wilberforce's death;
       Whereas all people must continue to fight, as Mr. 
     Wilberforce fought, for the true abolition of slavery and for 
     respect for human dignity in all aspects of modern culture; 
     and
       Whereas the people of the United States should carry on the 
     legacy of William Wilberforce by working to end the modern 
     slave trade, human trafficking, and the degradation of human 
     dignity: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) observes February 23, 2007, as the 200th anniversary of 
     the ban of the slave trade in the British Empire;
       (2) recognizes the positive impact William Wilberforce had 
     on renewing the culture of his day and ending the inhumane 
     practice of human slavery;
       (3) commends to the people of the United States the example 
     of William Wilberforce and his commitment to the values of 
     inherent human dignity and freedom, which reside in each and 
     every human being;
       (4) encourages the people of the United States to--
       (A) observe the 200th anniversary of the ban of the slave 
     trade in the British Empire;
       (B) reflect on William Wilberforce's selfless dedication to 
     the fight against slavery and his commitment to the neediest 
     in society; and
       (C) commit themselves to recognize the value of human life 
     and human dignity; and
       (5) unequivocally condemns all forms of human trafficking 
     and slavery, which are an assault on human dignity that 
     William Wilberforce would steadfastly resist.

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