[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E9-E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 40 THE COMMISSION TO STUDY REPARATIONS PROPOSALS 
                       FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS ACT

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 3, 2017

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to re-introduce H.R. 40, the 
Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African-
Americans Act. Over the last several years, we have seen an almost 
unprecedented elevation of the dialogue on reparations at both the 
national and international levels. This version of H.R. 40 reflects 
that progress and is designed to serve as the vehicle for continued 
discussion.
  Over the years, I have appeared at conferences and in the media to 
help lift the issues of reparations and the continuing impact of 
slavery in the national consciousness. Though some have tried to 
deflect the importance of these conversations by focusing on individual 
monetary compensation, the real issue is whether and how this nation 
can come to grips with the legacy of slavery that still infects current 
society.
  Since H.R. 40's introduction in 1989, we have made substantial 
progress in elevating these issues at the national level and joining 
the mainstream international debate on the issue. Through legislation, 
resolutions, news, and litigation, we are moving closer to making more 
strides in the movement toward reparations. At the international level, 
last year, the United Nations proclaimed 2015 through 2024 to be the 
International Decade for People of African Descent. Today there are 
more people at the table--more activists, more scholars, more CEO's, 
more state and local officials, and more Members of Congress.
  However, despite this progress and the election of the first American 
President of African descent, the legacy of slavery lingers heavily in 
this nation. While we have focused on the social effects of slavery and 
segregation, its continuing economic implications remain largely 
ignored by mainstream analysis.

[[Page E10]]

These economic issues are the root cause of many critical issues in the 
African-American community today, such as education, healthcare and 
criminal justice policy, including policing practices. The call for 
reparations represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue 
on the role of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions in 
our community and American society.
  Over the last two years, we have had a distinguished academic and 
activist panel from the National African American Reparations 
Commission dive into some of the most salient points in the reparations 
discussion. I have supported this effort by holding my annual 
reparations retrospective at the Annual Legislative Conference of the 
Congressional Black Caucus.
  I believe that H.R. 40 is a crucial piece of legislation because it 
goes beyond exploring the economic implications of slavery and 
segregation. It is a holistic bill in the sense that it seeks to 
establish a commission to also examine the moral and social 
implications of slavery. In short, the Commission aims to study the 
impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African-
Americans, resulting directly and indirectly from slavery to 
segregation to the desegregation process and the present day. The 
commission would also make recommendations concerning any form of 
apology and compensation to begin the long delayed process of atonement 
for slavery.
  With the over criminalization and policing of black bodies, a 
reoccurring issue in African-American communities, I believe this 
conversation is both relevant and crucial to restoring trust in 
governmental institutions in many communities. The times and 
circumstance may change, but the principle problem continues to weigh 
heavily on this country. A federal commission can help us reach into 
this dark past and bring us into a brighter future. As in years past, I 
welcome open and constructive discourse on H.R. 40 and the creation of 
this commission in the 115th Congress.

                          ____________________