House Approves Lee Bill Honoring the 200th Anniversary of the End of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
(Washington, DC) – The House today unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the end of the transatlantic slave trade.
H. Res. 272 recognizes the historical significance of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade to the world; respects the memory of those who died as a result of slavery, supports the preservation of historical records and documents and urges increased education of current and future generations about this crime against humanity.
March 25th was the 200th Anniversary of the passage of the Slave Trade Abolition Act, which was enacted by the British Parliament in 1807.
The following is Congresswoman Lee’s statement, as prepared for delivery:
“Madame Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lantos and Chairman Payne for their support and commitment in bringing my resolution, H.Res. 272, to the floor today.
“Madame Speaker, H.Res. 272 commemorates a very somber and serious occasion--the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade by the United Kingdom.
“Two hundred years ago on March 25th in 1807, Great Britain abolished the transatlantic slave trade in England and its colonies. This act began a worldwide revolt against the trade of human beings by other European nations.
“This is an important milestone because it represents the beginning of the end of one of the most deplorable chapters in human history.
“Madame Speaker, I have had the overwhelmingly moving experience of traveling to the areas from where these slaves came from.
“One of my most distinct memories was standing at the “Doors of No Return.” Every slave castle has such a door. This door represented so many things to me. At this door, my ancestors stand on the shores of their homeland for the last time in their lives. At this door a fate awaited them that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. And over 400 years later, there I was standing in the door as one of their descendants who survived and returned.
“Standing in front of these doors, it is impossible to ignore the fact that those who walked through these doors laid the foundation of many modern nations that have a colonial past—including the United States.
“The slave trade was vital to England and other European colonial powers. It provided the basis for modern capitalism to take root, generating immense wealth for business enterprises in colonial America and Europe.
“In many ways, the industrial strength of our nation was built on the blood, sweat and tears of African Americans’ free labor. Today, the U.S. reaps the fruits of labor of these enslaved Africans.
“However, in spite of the considerable riches enslaved Africans created for others, the slave trade also represented was the lowest expression of humanity.
“Captured Africans were subjected to the worst forms of cruelty and inhumanity. Millions were crammed in the hulls of slave ships like sardines in a can. The stench of filth and death reeked from the ships. Disease ran rampant throughout the ships. Traders used any means of violence to subdue insurrection including torture, mutilation and rape. The death rate during transport would reach as high as 50 percent.
“The world will never know the exact number of enslaved Africans transported to America. But, it is estimated that between 10 to 15 million were brought here, making it the largest forced migration in history.
“Given its immense significance, it is unfortunate that the transatlantic slave trade is a subject only briefly discussed in our nation’s classrooms.
“It is essential that we acknowledge how slavery created attitudes of racism that persists in our society today.
“Sadly, the legacy of the slave trade and slavery are with us to this day.
“Just consider the facts: nearly one quarter of African-Americans in the U.S. live in poverty. African-Americans have one of the highest unemployment rates at 9.6 percent, and of the 46 million who lack health insurance, about 20 percent are African-American and many of these are children.
“Slavery may be over, but in many ways the vestiges remain. That is why, Madame Speaker, it is important that we are considering this resolution today.
“We must honor the courage of those who died in slavery, and those who worked to end it. But at the same time, we must use this occasion to recommit ourselves to eliminating the disparities that exist in our society.
“We must not let their sacrifices been in vain.”
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