RESOLUTION NO. RS2000-451

A resolution supporting the adoption of House Resolution No. H. R. 40, known as the "Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act".

WHEREAS, on January 6, 1999, House Resolution 40, known as the "Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act", hereinafter referred to as "H.R. 40", was introduced which seeks to: (1) acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865; and (2) establish a Commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequent 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 as appropriate, and for other purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Commission will: (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 de jure and de facto discrimination 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 action in consideration of the Commission's findings on the institution of slavery, de jure and de facto discrimination, and the lingering effects on living African-Americans in the United States; and (6) submit to the United States Congress the results of such examination, together with such recommendations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

SECTION 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as supporting the adoption of House Resolution No. H. R. 40, known as the "Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act".

SECTION 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Honorable U.S. Representative Bob Clement, 5th Congressional District, to the Honorable Bill Frist, U. S. Senator, and to the Honorable Fred Thompson, U. S. Senator.

SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Melvin Black, Phil Ponder, Chris Ferrell, Don Majors, Howard Gentry, Bob Bogen, Lawrence Hall, Edward Whitmore, Earl Campbell, Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Eileen Beehan, Morris Haddox, Ludye Wallace, John Summers, Don Knoch, Brenda Gilmore, Ginger Hausser, Bettye Balthrop, James Dillard, Amanda McClendon, Jim Shulman, Jason Alexander, Michael Kerstetter, Feller Brown, J.B. Loring. Saletta Holloway, Ron Nollner, Craig Jenkins & Leo Waters