[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1-E2]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMISSION TO STUDY REPARATION PROPOSALS FOR 
                          AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACT

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to re-introduce H.R. 40, 
the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation proposals for African-
Americans Act. This legislation was first introduced by retired Member 
of Congress John Conyers of Michigan in 1989, and was intended to 
examine the institution of slavery in the colonies and the United 
States from 1619 to the present, and further recommend appropriate 
remedies.
  Since the initial introduction of this legislation, its proponents 
have made substantial progress in elevating the discussion of 
reparations and reparatory justice at the national level and joining 
the mainstream international debate on the issues. 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. Through legislation, resolutions, news, and 
litigation, we are moving closer to making more strides in the movement 
toward reparations.
  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. 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 several years, we have had a distinguished academic and 
activist panel from

[[Page E2]]

the National African American Reparations Commission dive into some of 
the most salient points in the reparations discussion. I am supporting 
this effort by continuing to hold the 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. As in years past, I 
welcome open and constructive discourse on H.R. 40 and the creation of 
this commission in the 116th Congress. Though the times and 
circumstance may change, the principle problem of slavery 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.

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