[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1711-S1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 69--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A 
             NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR HARRIET TUBMAN

  Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Carper, Mr. 
Biden, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 69

       Whereas Harriet Ross Tubman was born into slavery in 
     Bucktown, Maryland, in or around 1820;
       Whereas in 1849 Harriet Tubman escaped to Philadelphia and 
     became a ``conductor'' on the Underground Railroad;
       Whereas Harriet Tubman was commonly referred to as 
     ``Moses'' due to her courage and sacrifice in leading many 
     enslaved persons out of bondage and into freedom, endeavoring 
     despite great hardship and danger of being re-enslaved;

[[Page S1712]]

       Whereas Harriet Tubman became an eloquent and effective 
     speaker on behalf of the movement to abolish slavery;
       Whereas, during the Civil War, Harriet Tubman assisted the 
     Union Army as a cook, nurse, scout, and spy, and became the 
     first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, leading 
     to the liberation of more than 700 slaves;
       Whereas, after the War, Harriet Tubman became active in the 
     women's suffrage movement and continued to fight for human 
     dignity, human rights, opportunity, and justice;
       Whereas, in 1896, Harriet Tubman purchased 25 acres of land 
     in Auburn, New York, to create a home and hospital for 
     indigent, aged, and sick African-Americans, which opened on 
     June 23, 1908, as the Harriet Tubman Home for the Sick and 
     Aged, becoming the only charity outside of New York City 
     dedicated to the shelter and care of African-Americans in New 
     York;
       Whereas, in 1944, the Maritime Commission launched the SS 
     Harriet Tubman (Hull Number 3032), the first Liberty ship 
     ever named for an African-American woman;
       Whereas, in 1978, Harriet Tubman was the first honoree of 
     the Postal Service Black Heritage Stamp Series;
       Whereas the Episcopal Church has designated Harriet Tubman 
     as a saint in its Book of Common Prayer;
       Whereas Harriet Tubman, whose courageous and dedicated 
     pursuit of the promise of American ideals and common 
     principles of humanity continues to serve and inspire all 
     people who cherish freedom, died at her home in Auburn, New 
     York, on March 10, 1913;
       Whereas Public Law 101-252 designated March 10, 1990 as 
     Harriet Tubman Day, and States such as Delaware, Georgia, 
     Maryland, New York, and Texas host annual celebrations that 
     honor the life of Harriet Tubman on March 10 of each year; 
     and
       Whereas it would be appropriate to honor the contributions 
     of Harriet Tubman on March 10 of each year: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the designation of a national day of 
     remembrance for Harriet Tubman; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to support 
     and participate in such national day of remembrance for 
     Harriet Tubman with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and 
     other activities.

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce a resolution 
honoring the legacy of Harriet Ross Tubman, the abolitionist, 
humanitarian, Union spy, and daughter of Maryland whose selfless 
efforts throughout her lifetime helped hundreds of slaves realize 
freedom. My resolution supports the goals and ideals of a national day 
of remembrance for this American hero.
  Araminta Ross was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland, 
around 1820 and worked as a slave for several families throughout her 
childhood. Abused and beaten, she suffered a serious head injury that 
would affect her for the rest of her life. In 1844, she married John 
Tubman and took the first name of her mother, Harriet.
  In 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped to Philadelphia. She launched her 
work as a ``conductor'' on the Underground Railroad soon after, making 
several trips back for family members and friends. Tubman continued to 
risk capture for more than a decade, delivering enslaved people from 
bondage to freedom in New England and Canada. Referred to as ``Moses'' 
because of her courage and sacrifice, she personally led more than a 
dozen expeditions, helping approximately 70 slaves escape. Her efforts 
and extensive network of contacts along the Underground Railroad 
provided instruction for dozens more slaves to make the journey to 
freedom. She once stated, ``I never ran my train off track, and I never 
lost a passenger.''
  In 1859, Harriet Tubman purchased a home for her family in Auburn, 
New York. While there, she continued her role as an abolitionist, 
making several trips to Boston to speak alongside Frederick Douglass 
and others.
  When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Tubman volunteered. She worked 
for the Union Army as a nurse, scout, spy, and recruiter, and became 
the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, resulting in 
the liberation of hundreds of slaves. Traveling through Maryland, South 
Carolina, and Virginia, Harriet Tubman risked disease, capture, and 
physical injury to support the Union Army.
  After the war, Harriet Tubman returned to Auburn. She became active 
in the women's suffrage movement and worked alongside Susan B. Anthony 
and Emily Howland. She continued to fight for human dignity, human 
rights, and equal justice throughout her lifetime.
  In 1896, Harriet Tubman purchased 25 acres of land in Auburn to 
create a home and hospital for indigent, aged, and sick African-
Americans. Opened on June 23, 1908, the Harriet Tubman Home for the 
Sick and Aged was the State's only charity outside of New York City 
dedicated to the shelter and care of African-Americans. Harriet Tubman 
died from pneumonia in the home that bore her name on March 10, 1913, 
surrounded by family and friends. In recognition of her service to this 
country, she was buried with military honors at the Fort Hill Cemetery 
in Auburn.
  Harriet Tubman's legacy is one of selflessness and dedication to 
human rights. She inspired generations of African-Americans struggling 
for equality and civil rights and she has been praised worldwide.
  Harriet Tubman has received innumerable commendations for her role in 
American history. In 1944, the Maritime Commission launched the SS 
Harriet Tubman, the first Liberty ship ever named for an African-
American woman. In 1978, Harriet Tubman was the first honoree of the 
Postal Service Black Heritage Stamp Series. She is also designated as a 
saint in the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.
  Public Law 101-252 designated March 10, 1990, as Harriet Tubman Day. 
My home State of Maryland, as well as Delaware, Georgia, New York, and 
Texas host annual celebrations on March 10 to honor the life of Harriet 
Tubman.
  Harriet Tubman's dedicated pursuit of the American ideals of equality 
and liberty continues to inspire all who cherish freedom. It is 
appropriate to honor the life of Harriet Tubman on March 10 each year 
in recognition of this remarkable woman's contributions to the U.S.
  Senate support for this resolution would encourage the people of the 
United States to participate and support ceremonies, programs, and 
other activities in remembrance of Harriet Tubman and to acknowledge 
her importance in American history. Mr. President, as we close Black 
History Month and enter Women's History Month, I am proud to introduce 
this resolution honoring Harriet Ross Tubman, and I urge my colleagues 
to support it.

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