May 2, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 72 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE HONORING THE ANCESTRAL REBURIAL HOSTED BY THE GULLAH SOCIETY

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2019

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 36 individuals of 
African descent whose remains were unearthed at Gailliard Center in 
Charleston, South Carolina in 2013. These souls, whose stories are 
unknown, were buried in unmarked graves and their resting site was 
later buried under construction as the city grew. While they may have 
been forgotten in their time, they are not forgotten today. I commend 
the Gullah Society and the City of Charleston for honoring these 
individuals by holding a naming ceremony and ancestral reburial 
celebration to honor these souls and recognize their contributions to 
Charleston's history.
  What we do know is that these 36 individuals--men, women and 
children--were either born in Africa or were of African descent. Thanks 
to the efforts of the Gullah Society, analysis has been done that dates 
the original burial of these souls to between 1750 and 1800. Yet the 
site was never recognized as a burial ground. These souls were almost 
certainly enslaved people and endured prejudices and abuses throughout 
their life.
  Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in his great work Democracy in America; 
``The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any 
other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.'' The 
reburial celebration is one step towards acknowledging this important 
part of history and repairing this fault.
  We have an obligation to preserve the rich history of this country. 
Celebrations like this provide an opportunity to rejoice in the 
continued preservation of not just historic events but of the people 
who made this country what it is today.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in 
celebrating this historic occasion that recognizes the contributions of 
these 36 souls and all of the similarly situated that they represent. 
Without the vigilance of the Gullah Society and the City of Charleston 
this recognition would not be possible; and I add my enduring gratitude 
for the tremendous work they have done to make this day possible.

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