Rep. Crockett, Rep. Simon, and Sen. Booker Reintroduce Resolution to Create Congressional Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation
WASHINTON, D.C. – In advance of the Juneteenth celebration, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res.37 / S.Con.Res.14). This legislation urges the creation of a congressional commission acknowledging and examining systemic racism that has impacted Black Americans throughout U.S. history and the racial inequities that persist today.
“For far too long, our country has ignored the historic, systematic racism that has plagued our nation that has led to the injustice we see within our communities today,” said Congresswoman Crockett (D-TX-30). “The recent efforts to erase Black history from our schools, overturn criminal justice and policing reforms, and eliminate policies that protect our constituents from discrimination precisely demonstrates why this legislation is vital. If we are to heal and build on progress towards equality, then we must acknowledge our past, and this bill helps ensure we do just that. I am honored to continue the work of former Congresswoman Barbara Lee and champion this legislation alongside my colleagues Senator Booker and Representative Simon.”
“Over 400 years ago, the first ship carrying enslaved Africans arrived in what is now known as the United States of America,” said Senator Booker (D-NJ). “Our nation’s promise is to be a place of liberty and justice for all, but we must acknowledge that systemic racism and white supremacy still persist in our nation’s fabric. This commission on truth, racial healing, and transformation would join the United States with more than 40 countries who have already reckoned with historical injustice and its aftermath and would inform the public how the legacy of systemic racism continues to impact Black Americans, and the work that lies ahead for our country to heal.”
“I am honored to join Senator Booker and Congresswoman Crockett in introducing a resolution to establish a U.S. Commission on truth, racial healing, and transformation. Our nation was founded on a promise of liberty and justice for all, and I’m committed to working every day in Congress to bring our nation closer to this original promise,” said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). “This resolution is a necessary first step to recognize and root out the structural inequalities and systemic racism that continue to impact Black communities. I am honored to pick up the mantle from my predecessor and a fierce fighter for justice, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, on this effort to create a commission that will help our nation acknowledge a history of systemic racism and move forward.
“As Oakland’s first Black woman Mayor, I am deeply committed to advancing truth, racial healing, repair, equity, and justice in our communities. Having authored the original legislation and built the movement to support it, I am honored that Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Lateefah Simon, along with Senator Cory Booker, are reintroducing this vital legislation,” said Mayor and former Congresswoman, Barbara Lee. “I was privileged to work alongside the late Congressman John Lewis, former Secretary Deb Haaland, Representatives Judy Chu and Adriano Espaillat, and other champions who understood this mission’s urgency. The legacies of slavery, systemic racism, and white supremacy continue shaping our laws, policies, and institutions. From economic inequality to educational disparities, the need for national reckoning has never been clearer. This Commission will help us uncover our shared history, confront difficult truths, and chart a path toward the transformational change needed for a more just and equitable nation.”
The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: #unifyUSA; African American Redress Network; Arkansas Black Gay Men's Forum; Association on American Indian Affairs; BlackRoots Alliance; California Black Power Network; CDG SOLUTIONS; Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center; Copy that Consulting; Decolonizing Wealth Project; Erase the Space; Get Free; Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti; Japanese American Citizens League; N'COBRA;NAKO / IAAFestival; NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; ORIGINAL COLLARD GREENS CULTURAL FESTIVAL INC; Reparation Education Program; Reparations Finance Lab; Reparations for Lakeland Now!; Reparations4Slavery;San Francisco Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition; Sanctuary of Hope; The Braxton Institute for Sustainability, Resiliency and Joy!; The Taifa Group; The United Black Student Unions Of California; Tsuru for Solidarity; United by Equity; Why We Can't Wait Reparations Network; Wise Up; Women of Color Rise
The bill is cosponsored by SENATORS Elizabeth Warren; Chris Coons; Tammy Duckworth; Ed Markey; Dick Durbin; Alex Padilla; and Adam Schiff; MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Becca Balint; Joyce Beatty; Shontel M. Brown; Julia Brownley; Andre Carson; Greg Casar; Kathy Castor; Diana DeGette; Susan Delbene; Lloyd Doggett; Adriano Espaillat; Dwight Evans; Maxwell Frost; John Garamendi; Jesus “Chuy” Garcia; Al Green; Pramila Jayapal; Jonathan Jackson; Henry C. ("Hank") Johnson, Jr.; Sydney Kamlager-Dove; Robin L. Kelly; Ro Khanna; Summer L. Lee; Betty McCollum; James P. McGovern; Gwen Moore; Eleanor Holmes Norton; Ilhan Omar; Frank Pallone Jr.; Ayanna Pressley; Delia C. Ramirez; Marylin Strickland; Dina Titus; Shri Thanedar; Bennie G. Thompson; Rashida Tlaib; Juan Vargas; Nydia Velazquez; Nikema Williams.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
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