[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1844-H1847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR HARRIET ROSS 
                                 TUBMAN

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 310) expressing 
support for a national day of remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 310

       Whereas Harriet Ross Tubman was born into slavery in 
     Bucktown, Maryland, in or around 1820;
       Whereas in 1849 she escaped to Philadelphia and became a 
     ``conductor'' on the Underground Railroad;
       Whereas she was commonly referred to as ``Moses'' due to 
     her courage and sacrifice in leading many enslaved persons 
     out of bondage into freedom, endeavoring despite great 
     hardship and danger of being re-enslaved;
       Whereas Harriet Ross Tubman became an eloquent and 
     effective speaker on behalf of the movement to abolish 
     slavery;
       Whereas during the Civil War, Harriet Ross Tubman assisted 
     the Union Army as a cook, nurse, scout, spy, and became the 
     first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, leading 
     to the liberation of more than seven hundred slaves;
       Whereas after the Civil War, she became active in the 
     women's suffrage movement and continued to fight for human 
     dignity, human rights, opportunity, and justice;

[[Page H1845]]

       Whereas in 1896, Harriet Ross 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 United States 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 Ross Tubman was the first honoree 
     in the United States Postal Service Black Heritage Stamp 
     Series;
       Whereas the Episcopal Church has designated Harriet Ross 
     Tubman a saint in its Book of Common Prayer;
       Whereas Harriet Ross 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 March 10, 1990, was designated as Harriet Ross 
     Tubman Day and States such as Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, 
     New York, and Texas host annual celebrations that honor the 
     life of Harriet Tubman; and
       Whereas we support honoring the contributions of Harriet 
     Ross Tubman annually on March 10: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) supports the designation of a national day of 
     remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to support 
     and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and 
     other activities to commemorate a national day of remembrance 
     for Harriet Ross Tubman.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. 
Con. Res. 310, which seeks to honor the life of Harriet Tubman and 
acknowledge the many sacrifices she made on behalf of freedom and the 
inalienable rights of all men and women.
  She was a steadfast warrior for the values which we cherish today: 
freedom, justice, and equality for all. Without her, these values would 
not have been enjoyed by the dozens of African Americans that she 
rescued from slavery, in addition to many more that she helped by her 
unwavering commitment to emancipation.

                              {time}  1345

  H. Con. Res. 310 was introduced by Representative Elijah Cummings of 
Maryland on March 5, 2008, and was considered by and reported from the 
Oversight Committee on March 13, 2008, by voice vote.
  The measure has the support of over 60 Members of Congress and 
provides our body a collective opportunity to recognize and pay tribute 
to a woman who dedicated her life to ensuring equality and freedom, 
which stand at the foundation of our country, were afforded to all of 
its citizens, including those enslaved in the South.
  Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in 1820 to Harriet ``Rit'' 
Green and Ben Ross, a slave couple from Dorchester County, Maryland. 
From an early age, it was evident that Harriet Tubman was willing to 
put her life on the line to assist African Americans in escaping that 
peculiar institution we know as slavery. At 12 years old, she suffered 
a traumatic blow to the head from her overseer when she refused to help 
restrain a slave who was escaping. Due to the head injury she 
sustained, Harriet was plagued for the rest of her life with violent 
seizures and spells of unconsciousness.
  Yet despite these ailments, Harriet Tubman continued to press on. In 
1849 Harriet Tubman managed to escape from the plantation she worked 
on, located in the eastern part of Maryland. On her first trip up 
north, Tubman made great use out of the Underground Railroad and 
crossed over 90 miles to reach her final destination of Pennsylvania. 
Because of the dangers that lined every step of her journey, she had to 
travel at night, using the North Star for guidance. When she reached 
Philadelphia, she recalled that it felt like she was in heaven. Yet the 
memory of her family still in bondage caused Harriet to leave 
``heaven'' and voluntarily return to the land of her enslavement. After 
the decision to save her family, she spent the majority of her life 
bringing individuals out of slavery by way of the Underground Railroad. 
In fact, Tubman became known as Moses because of her relentless efforts 
to aid more and more African American slaves out of captivity.
  For 11 years Harriet Tubman risked her life to free over 70 slaves 
and their families. She also served as a Union spy during the Civil War 
and assisted abolitionist John Brown in recruiting men for the raid on 
Harpers Ferry in 1859. In the post-war era, Tubman devoted her efforts 
towards the women's suffrage movement up until her death in 1913. In a 
letter to honor her memory, Frederick Douglass wrote: ``Excepting John 
Brown, of sacred memory, I know of no one who has willingly encountered 
more perils and hardships to serve our enslaved people than she has.''
  Madam Speaker, let us honor this true patriot for the courage and 
tenacity that she has shown in the face of great danger and great 
adversity. Harriet Tubman deserves our utmost respect and gratitude for 
her unconquerable valor, her harrowing dedication, and her unshakable 
faith all in the name of freedom. Therefore, I urge swift passage of H. 
Con. Res. 310.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution honoring 
Harriet Tubman.
  Madam Speaker, Harriet Tubman is an American icon. She exemplified 
the ideals of courage, loyalty, and commitment in the face of 
adversity. After escaping from slavery in 1849, she immediately 
returned to Maryland at great personal risk to rescue her family 
members and others still bound in slavery. Some of the houses she used 
to stow escaped slaves are but a few miles from this very Chamber.
  Over the course of her years as the self-described ``conductor'' of 
the Underground Railroad, Tubman led 13 missions into Maryland and 
rescued more than 70 slaves. She didn't stop with leading slaves to 
freedom. She also helped them find jobs, founded a community in Canada 
where freed slaves could be safe from fugitive slave laws, and later 
opened a home for elderly African Americans.
  Tubman played an integral role in the 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, 
West Virginia. She helped John Brown contact freed slaves and garnered 
support from other abolitionists and sympathizers in Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, and Delaware. As a member of the Union Army during the Civil 
War, Tubman became the first woman in American history to lead an armed 
expedition. When slavery finally ended in the United States, she turned 
her considerable talents and energies towards the women's suffrage 
movement. She represented all that is great about America: the ability, 
the will, and the wherewithal to do that which is right and, more 
importantly, to do it for precisely that reason.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Cummings for introducing this 
resolution, and I thank Mr. Davis for helping us shepherd this through 
the committee, and I urge its adoption.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 310: Expressing support for a national day of remembrance for 
Harriet Ross Tubman. I wish to thank Representative Cummings for 
sponsoring this important legislation.
  Harriet Tubman was a remarkable woman, whose courage, struggle and 
dedication inspires respect and awe. It is appropriate that the 
Episcopal Church honors her as a saint.
  Born into slavery, Harriet Ross did not know her exact date of birth. 
At the age of 12 years she refused to help a white overseer bind a 
recaptured slave. For her refusal she was hit in the head with a heavy 
rock; this injury was severe and its effects would plague her for the 
rest of her life. At the age of 30 Harriet Tubman would make her escape 
from slavery to

[[Page H1846]]

Canada by way of Philadelphia where she met William Stills and learned 
about the workings of the Underground Railroad. Tubman would go on to 
free hundreds from slavery and became known as ``Moses'' for her 
incredible bravery and sacrifice as she led the way to freedom as a 
``conductor'' on the Underground Railroad. Harriet was a dedicated and 
outspoken member of the abolitionist movement.
  During the Civil War she provided services as a nurse, cook, scout 
and spy for the Union Army, but was refused payment for her wartime 
service. She became an active member of the women's suffrage movement 
and went on to establish the Harriet Tubman Home for the Sick and Aged 
in Auburn, NY, in 1908. She worked to maintain this home, the only one 
of its kind outside of New York City, dedicated to the care and 
sanctuary of African-Americans in New York.
  Harriet Tubman was a true heroine. I encourage the designation of a 
national day of remembrance to celebrate her life. I urge my colleagues 
to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 310.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Concurrent Resolution 310, expressing support for a national day 
of remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman.
  I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this resolution which recognizes the 
courage and sacrifice with which Harriet Tubman led slaves out of 
bondage and into freedom. Her work was an important part of moving the 
U.S. toward a more perfect Union.
  As an African-American woman who had been emotionally and physically 
abused by her owners, Harriet Tubman did the near impossible by freeing 
herself from a life of slavery. She also had the courage to continue on 
and help others, guiding hundreds of slaves out of abuse and fear and 
into freedom and respectful employment. Harriet Tubman not only fought 
against the most immediate inequalities experienced by African-American 
slaves, but reached out further, becoming active in the women's 
suffrage movement.
  While the Civil War has long since ended and slavery been abolished, 
many Americans continue to be enslaved by new forms of abuse and 
discrimination. Domestic violence and economic inequality imprison many 
today in fear and submission. Thankfully, Harriet Tubman's actions 
continue to inspire Americans to find the courage to help each other. 
In Minnesota, her legacy is alive in the activities of the Tubman 
Family Alliance agency, which provides safe passage from violence for 
women and children, and helps them achieve their own freedom, just as 
Harriet Tubman helped so many people achieve freedom.
  It is critical that we remember the courage with which this woman 
selflessly strove to help others despite the risk of enslavement and 
death. We must recognize and strive to emulate such bravery not just 
once a year, but all year. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join 
me in supporting this important resolution.
  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
310, expressing support for a national day of remembrance for Harriet 
Ross Tubman.
  During the month of March, when we celebrate Women's History Month 
across the nation, it is important that we recognize and celebrate the 
immeasurable contributions of women such as Harriet Tubman, who bravely 
led our Nation in the abolitionist movement, taking enormous risks in 
her fight for the freedom and equality of all Americans.
  Harriet Tubman was not only an abolitionist, leading more than 700 
slaves to freedom, but served nobly in the Union Army during the Civil 
War as the first female to head an armed expedition.
  Following her accomplishments in the Civil War, Harriet Tubman went 
on to be a leader in the women's suffrage movement, diligently fighting 
for women's right to vote, and founded the Harriet Tubman Home for the 
Sick and Aged, a home and hospital to care for elderly and ailing 
African-Americans in New York.
  Her bravery and dedication to the principles of freedom and equality 
serve as a positive example to us today, as we continue working 
together to provide quality education, healthcare, housing, and 
opportunity to all Americans, regardless of race, gender or income.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 310, expressing support for a national day of 
remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from Maryland, Representative Cummings. Harriet Ross Tubman 
was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union Spy 
during the United States Civil War and as such deserves to be honored 
for her brave service by members of the United States Congress.
  Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland, 
of purely African ancestry. Harriet Tubman was born Araminta ``Minty'' 
Ross to slave parents, Harriet ``Rit'' Green and Ben Ross. Rit was 
owned by Mary Pattison Brodess and later her son Edward, while Ben was 
legally owned by Mary's second husband, Anthony Thompson, who ran a 
large plantation near the Blackwater River in Dorchester County, 
Maryland. Tubman was beaten and whipped often by her various owners as 
a child. Early in life she suffered a traumatic head wound when an 
irate slave owner threw a heavy metal weight at her, intending to hit 
another slave. The injury caused disabling seizures, headaches, and 
powerful visionary and dream activity, and spells of hypersomnia which 
occurred throughout her entire life.
  In 1849, Tubman became ill, and her value as a slave was diminished 
as a result. Edward Brodess tried to sell her but could not find a 
buyer. Angry at this effort and the unjust hold he kept on her 
relatives, Tubman began to pray for her owner, asking God to make him 
change his ways. After her sell was considered finalized she `switched' 
tactics on how she was praying and one week later Brodess died. Tubman 
expressed regret for her earlier sentiments. Ironically, Brodess's 
death increased the likelihood that Tubman would be sold and the family 
would be broken apart. Tubman refused to wait for the Brodess' family 
to decide her fate, despite her husband's efforts to dissuade her. 
``There was one of two things I had a right to,'' she says, ``liberty 
or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.''
  Harriet Tubman was given a piece of paper by a white neighbor with 
two names, and told how to find her path to freedom. In 1849, Tubman 
escaped to Philadelphia. At the first house she was put into a wagon, 
covered with a sack, and driven to her next destination. Following the 
paper in route to Pennsylvania, she initially settled in Philadelphia, 
where she met William Still, the Philadelphia Stationmaster on the 
Underground Railroad. With the assistance of Still, and other members 
of the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society, she learned about the 
workings of the UGRR. She immediately returned to rescue her family. 
Slowly, one group at a time she brought relatives with her out of 
state, and eventually guided dozens of other slaves to freedom.
  Traveling by night with extreme caution, Tubman never lost a 
passenger. Heavy rewards were offered for many of the people she helped 
free, but no one knew it was Harriet Tubman who was helping them. When 
a far-reaching United States Fugitive Slave Law was passed in 1850, she 
helped guide fugitives further north into Canada, and helped newly-
freed slaves find work. In 1851 she began relocating members of her 
family to St. Catharines, Ontario Canada West. North Street in St. 
Catharines remained her base of operations until 1857. While there she 
worked various odd jobs to finance her activities as a Conductor on the 
UGRR, and attended the Salem Chapel BME Church on Geneva Street. Word 
of her exploits had encouraged her family, and biographers agree that 
she became more confident with each trip to Maryland. As she led more 
and more individuals out of slavery, she became popularly known as 
``Moses''--an allusion to the prophet in the book of Exodus who led the 
Hebrews to freedom.

  When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Tubman saw a Union 
victory as a key step toward the abolition of slavery. Tubman hoped to 
offer her own expertise and skills to the Union cause, too, and soon 
she joined a group of Boston and Philadelphia abolitionists heading to 
the Hilton Head District in South Carolina. She became a fixture in the 
camps, particularly in Port Royal, South Carolina, assisting fugitives. 
Tubman worked for the Union Army, first as a cook and nurse, and then 
as an armed scout and spy. The first woman to lead an armed expedition 
in the war, she guided the raid on the Combahee River, which liberated 
more than seven hundred slaves.
  Harriet Tubman, widely known and well-respected while she was alive, 
became an American icon in the years after her death. In all she is 
believed to have conducted approximately 300 persons to freedom in the 
North. The tales of her exploits reveal her highly spiritual nature, as 
well as a grim determination to protect her charges and those who aided 
them. She always expressed confidence that God would aid her efforts, 
and threatened to shoot any of her charges who thought to turn back. 
When she died, Tubman was buried with military honors at Fort Hill 
Cemetery in Auburn.
  Today, I seek to offer my condolences for her death, and also 
recognize her lifetime of accomplishments. For these reasons, I 
strongly support H. Con. Res. 310 and urge all my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr.

[[Page H1847]]

Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 310.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________