Recognizing the Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment
RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 17, 2005)
SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 196, to recognize the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, providing the final blow to eradicate the system of slavery in this great nation.
The history of slavery in North America traces back to the early-1500s. Through various European colonies, continuing through the early years of the United States, around 6 million Africans were forcibly removed from their home and brought to North America to work as slaves. The years, however, wrought on and the conscience of this Nation came to realize the profundity of inequality that this system perpetuated. Not only were people born and raised in this country forced to work as indentured servants, but even their status as human beings was reduced to that of three-fifths of a person. This system could not continue.
Brave abolitionists working tirelessly to bring about the downfall of this inherently unjust system, many of them sacrificing their lives and their own freedoms, the tensions surrounding this issue provided one of the major breaking points for the American Civil War. With the advent of a nation turned upon itself, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing all slaves within the Confederate States. Two years later, the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was proposed on the House floor and was met with cheers in support resounding from the House Gallery. Less than one year later, on December 6, 1863, Georgia's state legislature became the 27th State to pass the measure, meeting the requirement for ratification. On that day, the 13th Amendment was passed, slavery had been abolished, and our great Nation could finally put this dark period of history in our past.
Over the next five years, the remaining Civil War Amendments would be passed, including the 14th Amendment, which granted equal protection under the law, and the 15th Amendment, which granted voting rights regardless of race. Although slavery itself had been abolished, these historic achievements would set the foundation for a long struggle towards abolishing discrimination and injustice.
The 13th Amendment set a firm base for the modem-day civil rights movement, many aspects of which continue on with us today. The legacy of those who ended slavery and started us on the path to equality for all people must continue to inspire us to reach for greater tolerance, greater understanding, and greater compassion for our fellow human beings.
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