[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 133 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 133
Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of January 1, 2015,
to December 31, 2024, as the ``International Decade for People of
African Descent''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 14, 2019
Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself, Ms. Bass, Mr. Bishop of Georgia,
Mr. Brown of Maryland, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr.
Cleaver, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Danny K. Davis of
Illinois, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Haaland, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Hayes, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Horsford, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Ms. Kelly
of Illinois, Mr. Khanna, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Lee of California, Mr.
Lewis, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Moore, Mr. Neguse, Ms.
Omar, Mr. Payne, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Rush, Mr. David Scott of
Georgia, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Veasey, and Ms.
Wilson of Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of January 1, 2015,
to December 31, 2024, as the ``International Decade for People of
African Descent''.
Whereas the decade commencing on January 1, 2015, and ending on December 31,
2024, has been designated as the ``International Decade for People of
African Descent'' with the theme ``People of African descent:
recognition, justice and development'';
Whereas the African Diaspora is expansive, spanning across the globe from Latin
America and the Caribbean to Asia and Europe, with persons of African
descent having had a historical presence and currently residing on every
continent;
Whereas during the ``International Decade for People of African Descent''
governments and civil society across the globe join together with people
of African descent to promote respect, protection, and the fulfilment of
human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Whereas during the ``International Decade for People of African Descent''
governments in concert with civil society are to strengthen national,
regional and international action and cooperation to facilitate the full
and equal participation of people of African descent in society, promote
a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and
contributions of people of African descent to the development of
societies, and to strengthen and implement legal frameworks that combat
racial discrimination;
Whereas during the ``International Decade for People of African Descent''
governments are to utilize reliable statistical data to develop and
implement in concert with civil society measurable national action plans
and other strategies to address racial disparities impacting people of
African descent in the justice, wealth, education, employment, health,
housing, development, and other sectors;
Whereas government efforts of the ``International Decade for People of African
Descent'' are to also promote the history and heritage of people of
African descent, including through research and education, the full and
accurate inclusion of their history and contributions in educational
curricula, and by recognizing the victims and descendants of the
transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, as a means of upholding their
human dignity and equality and promoting societal reconciliation and
healing;
Whereas government efforts of the ``International Decade for People of African
Descent'' are to also enable the full, equal and effective participation
of people of African descent in public and political affairs; and
Whereas, on December 10, 2014, Ambassador Samantha Power, United States
Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the General Assembly
Special Event on the International Decade for People of African Descent
stated, ``The United States comes to the International Decade for People
of African Descent with a full and robust commitment to ensuring the
rights of persons of African descent, and to combating racism and
discrimination against them.'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the ``International
Decade for People of African Descent'';
(2) supports the establishment of a global affairs strategy
and assistance for people of African descent;
(3) supports the expansion of current efforts by the United
Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
Organization for American States, and other international
organizations to address the human rights situation of people
of African Descent;
(4) calls upon the United States in cooperation with civil
society (African descent communities, academics, activists,
businesses, and philanthropic organizations) to develop and
implement domestic and global strategies to execute the goals
and ideals of the ``International Decade for People of African
Descent'' and to combat racism, including by expanding the
transformative work of the United States Department of State's
Race, Ethnicity, and Social Inclusion Unit in this regard; and
(5) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to combat racism,
discrimination, and intolerance in the United States and around
the globe.
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