Original Slavery Remembrance Month Resolution

H. J. Res. 67 is a joint resolution that designates August as “Slavery Remembrance Month,” under the title “Original Slavery Remembrance Month Resolution.” The measure expresses a sense of Congress that August should serve to remind the nation of the evils of slavery, its ongoing effects, and the freedom fighters who worked to end slavery. It includes a detailed historical recital highlighting the origins of slavery in August 1619, the transport of enslaved Africans, the atrocities of the Middle Passage, the abuses associated with slavery and its legacies (including convict leasing, Black codes, Jim Crow, police brutality, mass incarceration, and systemic discrimination), and notable figures associated with abolition and liberation. The resolution also posthumously recognizes a list of Reconstruction-era lawmakers as honorary cosponsors and urges the President to issue a proclamation calling upon Americans to observe Slavery Remembrance Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. As a joint resolution, it is largely symbolic and ceremonial, designating a remembrance period rather than creating new law or mandatory funding.