INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMISSION TO STUDY REPARATION PROPOSALS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 1
(Extensions of Remarks - January 03, 2019)
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[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
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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
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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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