Advisory: Kaine, Warner, Scott, Butterfield To Propose Commission To Recognize 400 Years Of African American History
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, February 11, 2016, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, Congressmen Bobby Scott and G. K. Butterfield, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, will introduce the 400 Years of African American History Act – legislation that would establish a commission to plan programs and activities in 2019 across the country to recognize the arrival and influence of Africans in America.
Similar commissions have been established to recognize English & Hispanic heritage, including the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia and the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida. This commission would be charged with recognizing and highlighting the resilience and contribution of African Americans since 1619, as well as acknowledging the painful impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination have had on our nation’s history.
This legislation is co-sponsored by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Congressman John Lewis, and supported by the NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
10:00 AM Introduction of 400 Years of African American History Act
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
U.S. Senator Mark Warner
Congressman Bobby Scott
Congressman G. K. Butterfield
Hilary Shelton, Director, NAACP Washington Bureau & Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy
S-120
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20004
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