HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3084~..,..
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A Resolution
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, SUPPORTING LEGISLATION
PENDING IN THE U S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (H.R. 40) TO ESTABLISH A
COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY
Statement of Purpose. This resolution supports the national request for congressional hearings and
a federal commission to study and consider reparations to African Americans and to educate
Americans about the history of slavery and its current repercussions
WHEREAS the dehumanization and atrocities of slavery m the United States were rnand'atedwby form's
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laws that were codified within the United States Constitution, and
WHEREAS the 2001 United Nations world conference Against Racism held' ii~Durban South Afnc~`~~
acknowled ed that the Transatlantic slave trade and slave were cremes a amst hurnanit ~and
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WHEREAS a bill pending before the United States House of Represeritatves> 4(H.R,40), 1)~
acknowledges the fundamental m~ustice and inhumanity ofslavery- 2) establishes a'`co imissron to study
slavery rts subsequent racial and economic discrinmation against freed slaves and those forces on
living African Americans today- and 3) makes recommendations on appropriate remedies, and
WHEREAS H.R. 40 and the concept of reparations have been supported by state and local resolutions
across the country including the states of Louisiana, and California and the City councils of Detroit
Michigan, Cleveland Oleo, Chicago Illinois, Evanston Illinois, Atlanta Georgia, Washington D C.,
Baltimore Maryland, Inglewood California, Dallas Texas, Philadelplia Pennsylvania, Patterson New
Jersey Burlington Vermont; and
WHEREAS numerous national, state and local. organizations as well as religious institutions, legal
organizations and labor unions have officially endorsed the concept of reparations and H.R. 40• and
WHEREAS the Unites States has lent rts support to other reparation claims that have taken place both
on United States soil and outside of the United States;
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
WORTH, TEXAS
1 That the City Council hereby expresses its support for HR 40 and calls upon the United States
Congress to endorse the bill and advocate for zts passage; and
2. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to U S Representative John Conyers of Michigan,
the author and sponsor of H.R. 40• and
3 That nothing herein is intended to create any financial, legal or other obligation on the part of the
City of Fort Worth.
ADOPTED ON THIS, THE ~~ DAY OF 2004
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II'=~/ SECRETARY
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ounJeil~`Sponsor•
Council Co-Sponsor•
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MAY ~~ 2004
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