U.S. House of Representatives Issues Unprecedented Apology to African-Americans

Teresa Neumann : Jul 29, 2008
Jim Abrams - Associated Press

"We face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong."

(Washington, D.C.)?The U.S. House of Representatives has issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws. It reportedly says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage."

Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. (Photo: AP)

"Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth," said lawmaker Steve Cohen. Part of forming a more perfect union, "is such a resolution as we have before us today where we face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong."