[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 62 (Thursday, April 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 591--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 
               10, 2022 AS ``VENTURE SMITH FREEDOM DAY''

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 591

       Whereas, in about 1729, Venture Smith was born free in West 
     Africa and, in 1739, was seized from his home and enslaved in 
     New England;
       Whereas 257 years ago, in the year 1765, Venture Smith, at 
     the age of 36, purchased his freedom;
       Whereas Venture Smith went on to free his family from the 
     bondage of slavery;
       Whereas Venture Smith became a successful landowner, 
     businessman, and author in the United States, generations 
     before Black Americans began to obtain constitutional, legal, 
     social, and economic rights;
       Whereas, in November 1798, Venture Smith was the first 
     African American to write and publish his own autobiography;
       Whereas Venture Smith was the first person to write and 
     publish the phrase, ``My freedom is a privilege which nothing 
     else can equal'';
       Whereas Venture Smith died a free man on September 19, 1805 
     in Connecticut; and
       Whereas April 10 would be an appropriate date to designate 
     as ``Venture Smith Freedom Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the designation of 
     ``Venture Smith Freedom Day'' on April 10, which would 
     recognize the 257th anniversary of Venture Smith purchasing 
     his freedom and going on to become a landowner, businessman, 
     and author in Connecticut.

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