02/16/2021
February 17th: House Judiciary Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on H.R. 40, Legislation to Study Slavery Reparations
Stay informed and connected: Judiciary.House.Gov /
MEDIA ADVISORY
February 11, 2021
CONTACT: Shadawn Reddick-Smith, 202-225-3951
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, February 17th at 10:00 a.m., the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties will hold a hearing on H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. The purpose of the hearing is to examine, through open and constructive discourse, the legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, its continuing impact on the community and the path to restorative justice.
Witnesses:
· The Honorable Norman Mineta, Former Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation;
· The Honorable Dr. Shirley Weber, Secretary of State, State of California;
· Professor E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights;
· Kamm Howard, National Male Co-Chair, National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA);
· Dreisen Heath, Program Advocate, Human Rights Watch;
· Hilary Shelton, Director, NAACP Washington Bureau;
· Additional witnesses to be announced
Date: February 17, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Location: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington D.C.
Livestream: The virtual hearing will stream live here.
Background: H.R. 40, the “Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act,” would create a commission to study the history of slavery in the United States and in the American colonies from 1619 to 1865; the role of the federal and state governments in supporting slavery; federal and state laws that discriminated against the descendants of African slaves; other forms of discrimination against the descendants of African slaves; and the lingering effects of slavery on African Americans. The commission would also make recommendations as to appropriate ways to educate the American public about its findings and appropriate remedies in light of the commission’s findings.
NOTE: The Committee on the Judiciary is following guidelines developed in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP) and the House Sergeant at Arms. The OAP recommends all individuals maintain 6-foot social distance spacing as much as practicable when in the Capitol Complex. Additionally, on the advice of the OAP, the use of a face covering is required for all attendees of this proceeding. The general public will not be allowed to attend in person, however, the hearing will be streamed live.
