[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING EUROPE'S BLACK POPULATION

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr.  HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution recognizing Europe's Black population and expressing 
solidarity with their struggle.
  On April 29, 2008, I chaired the U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing 
entitled, ``The State of (In)visible Black Europe: Race, Rights, and 
Politics'' which focused on the more than 7 million people who make up 
Europe's Black or Afro-descendant population.
  Despite their numerous contributions to European society, like 
African-Americans here, many Black Europeans face the daily challenges 
of racism and discrimination.
  This includes being the targets of violent hate crimes, many of which 
have resulted in death. Existing inequalities in education, housing, 
and employment remain a problem and racial profiling is a norm. Few 
Black Europeans are in leadership positions and political participation 
is also limited for many, providing obstacles for addressing these 
problems.
  In an effort to raise public awareness of these issues at the 
national and international level, the Black European Women's Council, 
BEWC, was launched on September 9, 2008 at the European Union's 
headquarters. More than 130 Black women from across Europe came to 
``insist on the recognition and inclusion of Black Europeans 
economically, politically, and culturally.''
  This resolution supports BEWC's fight for equality and urges European 
governments to implement recently introduced anti-discrimination 
legislation and other plans of action, including a fund for victims 
incapacitated as a result of a hate crime.
  Given the history of our own country, an increase in transatlantic 
cooperative efforts between our government and European governments, 
U.S. and European based civil rights groups, and within the private 
sector would also provide useful partnerships and assistance in 
combating racism and discrimination abroad and at home.
  This resolution therefore also calls on the U.S. government to 
increase support for public and private sector initiatives focused on 
combating racism and discrimination in Europe as part of our efforts to 
support global human rights.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this Resolution 
Recognizing Black Europeans and encourage them to review the statements 
and submissions from the Helsinki Commission's Black Europe Hearing at 
www.csce.gov. Additionally, I would like to submit the following 
background materials on Black Europeans for the official record.

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