[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2059-E2060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMISSION ON THE ABOLITION OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of H.R. 3432, the 
200th Anniversary Commemoration Commission of the Abolition of the 
Transatlantic Slave Trade Act of 2007. The transatlantic slave trade 
was the forcible capture and procurement of more than 12 million 
Africans. These men, women, and children were transported in bondage 
from their African homelands to the Americas for the purpose of 
enslavement between the sixteenth and late nineteenth centuries. The 
actual

[[Page E2060]]

transport is often referred to as ``The Middle Passage.'' During this 
transition, many Africans suffered abuses of rape and perished as a 
result of torture, malnutrition, disease, and resistance. If these 
individuals survived the trip, their fate was a life of slavery.
  I recently visited Ghana. During this trip, I toured the former slave 
dungeon, Cape Coast Castle. I also had the opportunity to stand in the 
``Door of No Return'' where captives were held with little light, 
water, and absolutely no toilet facilities. Over 125 million West 
Africans died during the Middle Passage, and more than one-third of the 
people captured died within the first 3 years of their life on a 
plantation. The importance of this legislation lies in the fact that 
the slave trade and the legacy of slavery continue to have a profound 
impact on social and economic disparity, hatred, bias, racism, and 
discrimination. This legislation underscores the fact that the legacy 
of the slave trade continues to affect people of African descent today. 
One of the key purposes of this act is to ensure a suitable national 
observance of the 200th anniversary of the end of the transatlantic 
slave trade. By sponsoring and supporting commemorative programs, we 
raise awareness of the transatlantic slave trade and its effects, as 
well as recognize the experiences of all people during this period in 
history. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3432 in creating 
this commission that would not only celebrate the abolition of the 
transatlantic slave trade, but also educate citizens regarding a 
significant part of our Nation's history.

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