News Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) joined a majority of his House colleagues in passing a bill to recognize the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

“This year marks the 200th anniversary of the passage of the 1808 Transatlantic Slave Trade Act, which made transporting or importing slaves in the United States or its territories illegal,” said Spratt.

Despite the Act and an 1820 law that made the slave trade an act of piracy, slaves continued to be smuggled into the country.  Scholars say some 10 to 15 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic to the Americas and sold into slavery.  It was not until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865 that slavery was officially abolished.

The bill passed by the House, H.R. 3432, establishes the Commission on the Abolition of Transatlantic Slave Trade.  The commission would encourage historical societies, civic organizations, and state and local governments to organize programs that relate to the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition. The commission would consist of nine members appointed by Congress and submit a final report of its activities by the end of 2009.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

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