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    News / Exclusive

    Reparations For African-Americans? How Would Candidates Seeking To Become America's Next Congressmember Vote On Creating Commission To Study Issue?


    (June 15, 2007, updated) -- Should U.S. taxpayers pay reparations to African-Americans? And how would America's next Congressmember representing Long Beach and vicinity vote on legislation introduced by a member of the now-Democrat controlled House leadership to create a Commission to study the issue?

    LBReport.com put the question to some of the candidates now asking voters in 80% of LB (plus Signal Hill, Compton, Carson and Willowbrook) to send them to Congress where they could cast a substantive vote on this.

    HR 40 -- the "Commission To Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act" (text below) -- was introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D, MI), who chairs the House Judiciary Committee in the now-Democrat controlled Congress. On his web site, he notes that he's introduced the bill every two years since 1989 and intends to continue doing so until it's passed into law.

    In 2000, the Democrats' party platform supported "creation of a commission of distinguished scholars and civic leaders to examine the history of slavery, discrimination, and exclusion suffered by all minorities; to report on the continuing effects of those tragic chapters in our history; and to make appropriate recommendations on behalf of the American people."

    The verbiage quietly disappeared in 2004. In May 2004, the Boston Globe reported that at a campaign event, then-Presidential contender Sen. John Kerry (D., MA) "rejected a call by one voter to support reparations for slavery," but pledged to "meet with a leading advocate for reparations, Representative John Conyers Jr., to discuss ways to 'heal America's wounds in the past if they exist.'"

    In previous years, Rep. Conyers' bill had as many as 40 co-sponsors. As of June 15, 2007, it has 21 House co-sponsors [out of 435 members, details below].

    HR 40 (its number representing the post-Civil War promise of "40 acres and a mule") would "acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies" (detailed text below).

    Congressman Conyers' web site says the Commission established by the bill would "make recommendations to Congress on appropriate remedies to redress the harm inflicted on living African Americans" and would "examine federal and state laws that discriminated against freed African slaves from the end of the Civil War to the present."

    We buttonholed the candidates below, seeking to become America's next Congressmember in a special election to succeed the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D., Carson-LB), after they stepped off the stage at a June 13 multi-party candidate League of Women Voters forum.

    LBReport.com extends an open invitation to other candidates in the race to email us their responses (mail@lbreport.com) and we'll add below as received [indicated as updates].

    LBReport.com: If you're elected to Congress, will you support HR 40, the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act?

    Assemblywoman Laura Richardson: (Dem) Absolutely. Not only would I support that, but I would also support, the Congresswoman [Millender-McDonald] had brought forward legislation that Fillipino-Americans who served in the war [WWII] deserve to have their benefits, you know worked, they served in the war, they risked their lives and they're not getting adequate benefits for the job that they did. So, anyone who has had harm, and has not received the adequate compensation, should [receive it] just as any other group.

    John Kanaley: (Republican) I think reparations would be too divisive. I think what we need to do is try to put a lot of that in the past. We've gone through a Civil War. We've gone through the Civil Rights movement. What we need to do is go forward. Reparations unfortunately I think is going to bring us back into the past. It's going to cause a lot of divisions, a lot of animosity and I don't think that's going to be good for Blacks, I don't think it's going to be good for the country as a whole.

    State Senator Jenny Oropeza (Dem): [On evening of June 14, requested a day to study the legislation; no response received to date; will be added here as received]

    Signal Hill Councilman Ed Wilson (Dem): I think if you study something that is not a commitment to do something, I think it is appropriate. We made reparations to Japanese-Americans for internment. With 9/11, we've made reparations to the victims' families for the terrorist act. You know, African-Americans have suffered with slavery, were brought against their will, and not only that the slavery was generation upon generation upon generation, which is something that was different from slavery around the world in other times in other countries. It was in this country that they decided that if you were born into slavery, you stayed into slavery, and that was all on economic reasons, and so the country was able to grow and to build and become economically sound and stable yet the African-American community at that time was not...When I ran for office, I've never run based on my ethnicity. I ran on the issues and the people of Signal Hill voted for me based on the issues. And most people know Signal Hill's history in that it wasn't that favorable to people of color. And for me to get elected, and not just get elected, to get reelected, and then on my second reelection or a third term get the highest number of votes in the city, says we like this person and how he represents us. And that's important to say in context to studying reparations for African-Americans. I'm not just saying that as an African-American. I'm saying that as someone that represents a community.

    [Updates: response emailed]

    Daniel Brezenoff (Green): The transatlantic slave trade and the legalization of slavery in the original Constitution are among the darkest chapters in all history. The physical, cultural, and spiritual brutality of treating people as property is almost unspeakable. The remnants of this shameful institution can still be seen clearly in the United States of America, where more black men are in prison than in college, police brutality haunts the cities, and economic disparity continues to separate entire communities from the opportunities all people deserve.

    I fully support HR 40. I would point out that it contains authorization for just 8 million dollars, which means vastly more money would have to be appropriated at a future date if monetary reparations are going to be made to the descendants of slaves.

    In the meantime, I'd like to see this government offer reparations to African-Americans by carrying out these actions:

  • 1. Stop sending young men to war. War disproportionately affects the poor and people of color.
  • 2. An end to electricity and gasoline bills. Ensure free solar electricity and transporation to all by granting outright the solar panels and electric vehicles necessary for a family's total energy independence...
  • 3. Support black-owned small businesses in cities around the United States with low interest loans and advertising subsidies.
  • 4. Ensure by law that every child has equal economic resources to support his or her education.
  • 5. Rebuild New Orleans. Or better yet, give New Orleans residents the tools, support and resources they need to rebuild their city.
  • 6. Assist the African continent to recover from the slave trade and colonialism, from which the United States economy benefited immensely...
  • 7. Free nonviolent drug offenders from Federal prisons today.
  • 8. Support fair trade within and without the United States, allowing wages to rise and preventing corporations from having a safe haven to exploit workers overseas.
  • 9. Apologize. Again. And again. Until everyone is satisfied. 400 years was a long time to wait.

    Essentially, the power structure in this country must do what it has never done: Place people before profits, justice over power, goodness over greed.

  • As of June 12, HR 40 had 21 listed co-sponsors, including three California Congressmembers: Barbara Lee (D., Berkeley-Oakland), Michael Honda (D., Campbell [SW of San Jose])...and the late Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D., Carson-LB).

    LBReport.com posts the text of the bill as introduced:

    Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act (Introduced in House)

    HR 40

    110th CONGRESS

    1st Session

    H. R. 40

    To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.

    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    January 4, 2007

    Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. NADLER, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Ms. NORTON, Mr. OLVER, Mr. WYNN, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. RUSH, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Ms. LEE, Mr. HONDA, and Mr. CLAY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary


    A BILL

    To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.

      Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

      This Act may be cited as the `Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act'.

    SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

      (a) Findings- The Congress finds that--

        (1) approximately 4,000,000 Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and colonies that became the United States from 1619 to 1865;

        (2) the institution of slavery was constitutionally and statutorily sanctioned by the Government of the United States from 1789 through 1865;

        (3) the slavery that flourished in the United States constituted an immoral and inhumane deprivation of Africans' life, liberty, African citizenship rights, and cultural heritage, and denied them the fruits of their own labor; and

        (4) sufficient inquiry has not been made into the effects of the institution of slavery on living African-Americans and society in the United States.

      (b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to establish a commission to--

        (1) examine the institution of slavery which existed from 1619 through 1865 within the United States and the colonies that became the United States, including the extent to which the Federal and State Governments constitutionally and statutorily supported the institution of slavery;

        (2) examine de jure and de facto discrimination against freed slaves and their descendants from the end of the Civil War to the present, including economic, political, and social discrimination;

        (3) examine the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery and the discrimination described in paragraph (2) on living African-Americans and on society in the United States;

        (4) recommend appropriate ways to educate the American public of the Commission's findings;

        (5) recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission's findings on the matters described in paragraphs (1) and (2); and

        (6) submit to the Congress the results of such examination, together with such recommendations.

    SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES.

      (a) Establishment- There is established the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the `Commission').

      (b) Duties- The Commission shall perform the following duties:

        (1) Examine the institution of slavery which existed within the United States and the colonies that became the United States from 1619 through 1865. The Commission's examination shall include an examination of--

          (A) the capture and procurement of Africans;

          (B) the transport of Africans to the United States and the colonies that became the United States for the purpose of enslavement, including their treatment during transport;

          (C) the sale and acquisition of Africans as chattel property in interstate and instrastate commerce; and

          (D) the treatment of African slaves in the colonies and the United States, including the deprivation of their freedom, exploitation of their labor, and destruction of their culture, language, religion, and families.

        (2) Examine the extent to which the Federal and State governments of the United States supported the institution of slavery in constitutional and statutory provisions, including the extent to which such governments prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of freed African slaves to repatriate to their homeland.

        (3) Examine Federal and State laws that discriminated against freed African slaves and their descendants during the period between the end of the Civil War and the present.

        (4) Examine other forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed African slaves and their descendants during the period between the end of the Civil War and the present.

        (5) Examine the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery and the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) on living African-Americans and on society in the United States.

        (6) Recommend appropriate ways to educate the American public of the Commission's findings.

        (7) Recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission's findings on the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4). In making such recommendations, the Commission shall address among other issues, the following questions:

          (A) Whether the Government of the United States should offer a formal apology on behalf of the people of the United States for the perpetration of gross human rights violations on African slaves and their descendants.

          (B) Whether African-Americans still suffer from the lingering effects of the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4).

          (C) Whether, in consideration of the Commission's findings, any form of compensation to the descendants of African slaves is warranted.

          (D) If the Commission finds that such compensation is warranted, what should be the amount of compensation, what form of compensation should be awarded, and who should be eligible for such compensation.

      (c) Report to Congress- The Commission shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Congress not later than the date which is one year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission held pursuant to section 4(c).

    SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

      (a) Number and Appointment- (1) The Commission shall be composed of 7 members, who shall be appointed, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, as follows:

        (A) Three members shall be appointed by the President.

        (B) Three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

        (C) One member shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.

      (2) All members of the Commission shall be persons who are especially qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of their education, training, or experience, particularly in the field of African-American studies.

      (b) Terms- The term of office for members shall be for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, and shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

      (c) First Meeting- The President shall call the first meeting of the Commission within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, or within 30 days after the date on which legislation is enacted making appropriations to carry out this Act, whichever date is later.

      (d) Quorum- Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

      (e) Chair and Vice Chair- The Commission shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. The term of office of each shall be for the life of the Commission.

      (f) Compensation- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Commission shall receive compensation at the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each day, including travel time, during which he or she is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission.

      (2) A member of the Commission who is a full-time officer or employee of the United States or a Member of Congress shall receive no additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of his or her service to the Commission.

      (3) All members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties to the extent authorized by chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

    SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

      (a) Hearings and Sessions- The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and at such places in the United States, and request the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may request the Attorney General to invoke the aid of an appropriate United States district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise, such attendance, testimony, or production.

      (b) Powers of Subcommittees and Members- Any subcommittee or member of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section.

      (c) Obtaining Official Data- The Commission may acquire directly from the head of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government, available information which the Commission considers useful in the discharge of its duties. All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the executive branch of the Government shall cooperate with the Commission with respect to such information and shall furnish all information requested by the Commission to the extent permitted by law.

    SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

      (a) Staff- The Commission may, without regard to section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code, appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.

      (b) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws- The staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that the compensation of any employee of the Commission may not exceed a rate equal to the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.

      (c) Experts and Consultants- The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of such title.

      (d) Administrative Support Services- The Commission may enter into agreements with the Administrator of General Services for procurement of financial and administrative services necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission. Payment for such services shall be made by reimbursement from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the Administrator.

      (e) Contracts- The Commission may--

        (1) procure supplies, services, and property by contract in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts; and

        (2) enter into contracts with departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, State agencies, and private firms, institutions, and agencies, for the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other activities necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission, to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts.

    SEC. 7. TERMINATION.

      The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits its report to the Congress under section 3(c).

    SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

      To carry out the provisions of this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000.

    On his web site, Cong. Conyers writes in pertinent part:

    Over 4 million Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and its colonies from 1619 to 1865, and as a result, the United States was able to begin its grand place as the most prosperous country in the free world.

    It is un-controverted that African slaves were not compensated for their labor. More unclear however, is what the effects and remnants of this relationship have had on African-Americans and our nation from the time of emancipation through today.

    I chose the number of the bill, 40, as a symbol of the forty acres and a mule that the United States initially promised freed slaves. This unfulfilled promise and the serious devastation that slavery had on African-American lives has never been officially recognized by the United States Government...

    Many of the most pressing issues, which have heretofore not been broached on any broad scale, would be addressed. Issues such as the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery, whether an apology is owed, whether compensation is warranted and, if so, in what form and who should eligible would also be delved into.

    H.R. 40 has strong grass roots support within the African American community, including major civil rights organizations, religious organizations, academic and civic groups from across the country. This support is very similar to the strong grassroots support that proceeded another legislative initiative: the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday bill. It took a full 15 years from the time I first introduced it on April 5, 1968 to its passage in the fall of 1983. Through most of those 15 years, the idea of a federal holiday honoring an African American civil rights leader was considered a radical idea.

    ...It is a fact that slavery flourished in the United States and constituted an immoral and inhumane deprivation of African slaves' lives, liberty and cultural heritage. As a result, millions of African Americans today continue to suffer great injustices.

    But reparation is a national and a global issue, which should be addressed in America and in the world. It is not limited to Black Americans in the US but is an issue for the many countries and villages in Africa, which were pilfered, and the many countries, which participated in the institution of slavery.

    Another reason that this bill has garnered so much resistance is because many people want to leave slavery in the past - they contend that slavery happened so long ago that it is hurtful and divisive to bring it up now. It's too painful. But the concept of reparations is not a foreign idea to either the U.S. government or governments throughout the world.

    Though there is historical cognition for reparations and it is a term that is fairly well known in the international body politic, the question of reparations for African Americans remains unresolved. And so, just as we've discussed the Holocaust, and Japanese interment camps, and to some extent the devastation that the colonists inflicted upon the Indians, we must talk about slavery and its continued effects...


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