[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   APOLOGIZING FOR THE ENSLAVEMENT AND RACIAL SEGREGATION OF AFRICAN-
                               AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Res. 194, ``Apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation 
of African-Americans,'' introduced by my distinguished colleague from 
Tennessee, Representative Steve Cohen, of which I am a cosponsor. This 
important legislation expresses Congress's remorse for America's past 
treatment of African-Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that many would think it a non-issue to address 
the events of over 135 years ago, but the legacy of slavery and racial 
segregation continues to have a profound impact on American society. 
The social and economic disparity lives on, as do hatred, bias, and 
discrimination. The consequences of the slave trade have been profound 
and the scars that it produced still have not healed. Despite two 
centuries of progress, the African American community continues to feel 
the impact of slavery and subsequent years of racism and persecution. 
Our fight for equality and against injustice against all must continue.
  We must recognize and in some small way try to rectify our past. As 
the famous saying goes, ``those who cannot remember the past are 
condemned to repeat it.'' This Bill will serve as a testimony to the 
great injustices that African-Americans suffered at the hands of the 
United States, and subsequently allow Members of Congress to learn from 
the past in order to not repeat similar injustices in the future.
  The United States today serves as a moral compass for the rest of the 
world and as such we must provide a voice for race issues. Our 
willingness to confront our Nation's past and to address the impact 
which slavery and racial segregation have had on our society 
strengthens our undeterred commitment to serving as an advocate for 
human rights and freedom in the international community.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 194, ``Apologizing 
for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans.'' This 
legislation acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, 
and inhumanity of slavery and racial segregation in the United States. 
By doing so, the United States will remember our Nation's wrongdoings 
in order to not repeat our mistakes.

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