Press Release |
||
|
||
|
||
|
Washington, DC—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), a former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, to recognize the historical significance of the USS Constellation and acknowledge it as an appropriate site to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the United States.
“The USS Constellation represents a shining moment in one of the darkest points of our nation’s history, and I am honored to officially recognize its significance to our country,” Congressman Cummings said. “The efforts and accomplishments of the Constellation’s crew helped lead not only to the liberation of thousands of Africans, but also to the liberation from oppression and ignorance.”
The Transatlantic Slave Trade became illegal in 1808, and the USS Constellation was one of the ships used to enforce the law, sailing to West Africa as a flagship of the eight-ship U.S. African Squadron. From 1859-1861, the USS Constellation and African Squadron captured a record fourteen slave ships and liberated nearly 4,000 Africans destined for a life of servitude.
On September 25, 2008, the USS Constellation Museum in Baltimore, Md., will hold a ceremony aboard the ship to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
“The commemoration of the end of the Transatlantic Slave Trade is an important reminder of the great strides we have made as a nation toward a society that respects the equality of every single human being,” Congressman Cummings said. “It is with great pride that we recognize such an important journey aboard the USS Constellation, which rests in my hometown of Baltimore.”
###
|
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]