Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act facts for kids

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Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Full title	To address 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 study and consider a national apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery, its 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 on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.
Introduced in	117th United States Congress
Introduced on	January 4, 2021
Number of co-sponsors	196
Legislative history
Introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 40 by Sheila Jackson Lee (D–TX) on January 4, 2021 Committee consideration by: House Judiciary

The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act is a proposed law in the United States. It was first introduced in 1989 by Representative John Conyers. This act aims to create a special group, called a commission.

This commission would study the idea of giving reparations to African Americans. Reparations mean making up for past wrongs, often by giving money or other forms of help. This bill focuses on the harm caused by slavery and later discrimination in the U.S. The current version of the bill is supported by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

Understanding H.R. 40

This proposed law is known as H.R. 40. The number "40" is important. It refers to a promise made after the American Civil War. Freed slaves were promised "forty acres and a mule" to help them start new lives. This promise was never fully kept.

The bill suggests that a commission should look into the history of slavery. It would also study how discrimination continued against African Americans even after slavery ended. The goal is to understand the lasting problems caused by these past events.

What the Commission Would Do

The commission would study many things. It would look at how slavery affected people from 1619 to 1865. It would also examine how laws and practices discriminated against African Americans after the Civil War. This includes things like Jim Crow laws.

The commission would also consider how these past issues still affect African Americans today. This includes problems with money, education, and health. They would then suggest ways to teach the public about their findings. Finally, they would recommend ways to make up for the harm caused.

History of the Bill

Representative John Conyers first introduced this bill in 1989. He continued to introduce it in every new Congress for almost 30 years. He did this until he retired.

In 2019, a special meeting was held about this issue. It was a big step because the topic of reparations had not been discussed in Congress since 2007. This meeting happened on Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the end of slavery.

John Conyers passed away in October 2019. However, his work on H.R. 40 continued. Senator Cory Booker supports a similar bill in the Senate. Many other politicians, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have also shown support for H.R. 40.

In April 2021, the bill reached an important milestone. It passed a committee vote for the first time ever. This meant it could move forward for more discussion and a vote by the full House of Representatives.

How the Bill Works

The main goal of H.R. 40 is to set up a commission. This commission would study the history and effects of slavery and discrimination. They would then give a report to Congress and the American people.

The commission would look at:

• The system of slavery in the U.S. from 1619 to 1865.
• How governments, both federal and state, supported slavery.
• Discrimination against freed slaves and their families after the Civil War. This includes unfair treatment in jobs, schools, and society.
• The ongoing problems that African Americans face because of slavery and past discrimination.
• How some learning materials might not fully show the cruelty of slavery.
• The role of states outside the South in supporting slavery.
• How big organizations like colleges, companies, and churches benefited from slavery.
• Ways to teach the public about what the commission finds.
• Ideas for how to make up for the harm caused by slavery and discrimination.

Journey Through Congress

This table shows how H.R. 40 and its companion bill have moved through Congress over the years. Each "Congress" lasts for two years.

See also

• John Conyers
• Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity
• Racism in the United States
• Reparations for slavery in the United States
• Slavery