U.S. House of Representatives issues apology for slavery, segregation laws

Jet, August 18, 2008 by Marti Parham

"Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The comment comes after the House of Representatives issued a formal apology to Black Americans for slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws.

The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, the only White lawmaker to represent a majority Black district.

The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations. What is mentioned is that the House "apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow."

According to Cohen, "Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth."

More than a dozen of the 42 Congressional Black Caucus members in the House were original co-sponsors of the measure.

--Marti Parham & AP reports