[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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