[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. Warner, Mr. Booker, and Mr. 
        Blunt):
  S. 392. A bill to establish the 400 years of African-American History 
Commission, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the 400 Years of 
African American History Commission Act.
  We are 2 years away from a key anniversary in American history. 
August 2019 will mark 400 years since the first documented arrival of 
Africans who came to English America by way of Point Comfort, VA. This 
historic and tragic moment, when ``20 and odd'' Africans, as it was 
recorded were the first recorded group of Africans to arrive 
involuntarily and were sold as involuntary laborers or indentured 
servants in the colonies. This indelible mark in American history 
should not pass without recognition.
  During my tenure as Governor of Virginia, I presided over the 400th 
anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, VA, by the English colonists 
in 1604. Two years ago I attended the 450th anniversary of the founding 
of St. Augustine, FL, which celebrated Hispanic heritage. Both 
commemorations included activities sponsored by Federal commissions, 
which were voted on and passed by Congress.
  Having commemorated the English and Spanish heritage of our founding, 
there is no reason it should be any different for the arrival and 
continuous presence of Africans and African Americans in the English 
settlements in 1619. There is no dispute that the beginning of African 
and African-American presence in what is now the United States was both 
heartbreaking and regrettable. Although in 1619 slavery was not yet an 
institution, the involuntary status of those first Africans was the 
impetus to slavery. Slavery as an institution broke up families, 
resulted in the deaths of thousands, and caused irreparable damage to 
our American psyche. And though we should never forget that period of 
stain on our history, slavery is not the only part of African-American 
history. I have had an opportunity to visit the National Museum of 
African American History and Culture. The museum makes a tremendous 
effort to tell the complete story of African Americans and it is 
important that we remember the whole story. African Americans have 
contributed to the economic, academic, social, cultural and moral well-
being of this Nation. Their impact and influence has shaped this nation 
to what it is today.
  So today, with my cosponsor Senator Mark Warner, I reintroduce the 
400 Years of African American History Commission Act, which would 
establish a commission that would plan programs and activities across 
the country to recognize the arrival and influence of African Americans 
since 1619. It is my hope the establishment of a ``400th'' commission 
would create an opportunity to bring continued national education about 
the significance the arrival of African Americans has made to the 
United States and the contributions that have been made since 1619. 
Additionally, the commission would create space to discuss race 
relations in America and focus on dismantling the institutional systems 
that have adversely hindered African American progress.
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