December 06, 2005
“Today, I hope that all Members will support this effort to honor the 140th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment. On December 6, 1865, slavery ended and the deep roots of the modern civil rights movement were planted.
“The 13th Amendment was a response to the Dred Scott decision of 1856, a ruling that declared Congress lacked the power to prohibit slavery in our country.
“If Dred Scott ruling was still in effect today, neither I nor the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus would be standing here as a Members of Congress.
“As someone of African-descent, whether free or enslaved, I would be considered only three-fifths of a person. Neither I nor millions of African-Americans would qualify as a ‘citizens’ of this country.
“As the descendant of people who survived the Middle Passage, who survived the cruelty of slavery, who survived Reconstruction, who survived Jim Crow, I know that my life has been inextricably linked to the 13th Amendment.
“According to historical accounts, on the day of the House vote on January 31, 1865, the gallery which had just been opened to African Americans erupted into cheers and Representatives on the House floor were visibly emotional – crying and hugging each other.
“Twelve months later, the requisite three-fourths of the states in the union ratified the 13th Amendment. More than one hundred years later, another eight states followed suit.
“Although not necessary, President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment to show the united front to abolish slavery in the U.S.
“A treacherous and divisive burden was removed, and our nation was allowed to unite and truly begin to commit to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for all.
“In fact, the 13th Amendment was the foundation for future equal rights and legislative actions like the 14th Amendment which ensured federal and state rights to all individuals, 15th Amendment which granted African American men the right to vote, and 19th Amendment which expanded suffrage to all women, the Civil Rights Acts, and the Voting Rights Act.
“And protecting civil and human rights is not something that should be taken lightly; it requires constant vigilance and review.
“As we honor this great act of our predecessors, we pay tribute to the visionaries who sacrificed, and fought for our civil rights and liberties.
“In 140 years, our country has grown from being an oppressive, divisive nation to a global advocate for democracy, civil and human rights.
“One-hundred and forty years after slavery was abolished, African-Americans and other minorities continue to experience social and economic injustices – as the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster magnified.
“Within our own borders and throughout the world, human trafficking is rampant; it is a modern version of slavery and discrimination against those who have no voice.
“Our work in Congress should be straightforward. It is our duty to reaffirm this tradition of justice, equality and liberty for all.
“We have an obligation to ensure that everyone has equal access to the democratic process, livable wages, education, housing and health care.
“Clearly, we still have much work to do to ensure that discrimination is eliminated and all people are considered equal in the eyes of our laws. The movement that began with the ratification of the 13th Amendment must continue. We owe it not only to those who suffered and sacrificed in the past but more importantly we owe it to future generations.”
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House Approves Lee Bill Honoring the Anniversary of the End of Slavery December 6th Was 140th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to recognize the 140th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States. The following are excerpt from her statement on the House floor:“Today, I hope that all Members will support this effort to honor the 140th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment. On December 6, 1865, slavery ended and the deep roots of the modern civil rights movement were planted.
“The 13th Amendment was a response to the Dred Scott decision of 1856, a ruling that declared Congress lacked the power to prohibit slavery in our country.
“If Dred Scott ruling was still in effect today, neither I nor the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus would be standing here as a Members of Congress.
“As someone of African-descent, whether free or enslaved, I would be considered only three-fifths of a person. Neither I nor millions of African-Americans would qualify as a ‘citizens’ of this country.
“As the descendant of people who survived the Middle Passage, who survived the cruelty of slavery, who survived Reconstruction, who survived Jim Crow, I know that my life has been inextricably linked to the 13th Amendment.
“According to historical accounts, on the day of the House vote on January 31, 1865, the gallery which had just been opened to African Americans erupted into cheers and Representatives on the House floor were visibly emotional – crying and hugging each other.
“Twelve months later, the requisite three-fourths of the states in the union ratified the 13th Amendment. More than one hundred years later, another eight states followed suit.
“Although not necessary, President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment to show the united front to abolish slavery in the U.S.
“A treacherous and divisive burden was removed, and our nation was allowed to unite and truly begin to commit to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for all.
“In fact, the 13th Amendment was the foundation for future equal rights and legislative actions like the 14th Amendment which ensured federal and state rights to all individuals, 15th Amendment which granted African American men the right to vote, and 19th Amendment which expanded suffrage to all women, the Civil Rights Acts, and the Voting Rights Act.
“And protecting civil and human rights is not something that should be taken lightly; it requires constant vigilance and review.
“As we honor this great act of our predecessors, we pay tribute to the visionaries who sacrificed, and fought for our civil rights and liberties.
“In 140 years, our country has grown from being an oppressive, divisive nation to a global advocate for democracy, civil and human rights.
“One-hundred and forty years after slavery was abolished, African-Americans and other minorities continue to experience social and economic injustices – as the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster magnified.
“Within our own borders and throughout the world, human trafficking is rampant; it is a modern version of slavery and discrimination against those who have no voice.
“Our work in Congress should be straightforward. It is our duty to reaffirm this tradition of justice, equality and liberty for all.
“We have an obligation to ensure that everyone has equal access to the democratic process, livable wages, education, housing and health care.
“Clearly, we still have much work to do to ensure that discrimination is eliminated and all people are considered equal in the eyes of our laws. The movement that began with the ratification of the 13th Amendment must continue. We owe it not only to those who suffered and sacrificed in the past but more importantly we owe it to future generations.”