Panel Approves Lee Bill Honoring the 200th Anniversary of the End of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
(Washington, DC) – The House International Relations Committee today approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the end of the transatlantic slave trade, preparing the way for the House to vote on it next week.
“We are still working to overcome the legacy of slavery. The economic foundation of Europe and its former colonies, including the United States, was built on the blood, sweat and tears of enslaved Africans labor. It is important for us to remember this dark period in both the history of our nation and the world and celebrate the efforts to bring it to an end,” said Lee. “This resolution is designed to do that, to honor the memory of all of those who died and to ensure that we never forget this crime against humanity in order to ensure that it is never repeated.”
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.
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