U.S. Senate Apologizes to Lynching Victims
http://landrieu.senate.gov/lynching/index.cfm
Senate Apologizes to Lynching
Victims, Families for Failure to Act
Senators Landrieu and Allen Joined By Lynching Survivor
and Descendents for Historic Vote
June 13, 2005
WASHINGTON – In more than 200 years, the United States Senate has rarely found an occasion to apologize. But today the body is expected to apologize to lynching victims and their families for the Senate’s failure to enact federal anti-lynching legislation during the first part of the 20th century.
From 1890 to 1960, 4,742 Americans were documented as having been lynched, with actual numbers believed to be much higher. During that time, nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced to the United States Congress. The United States House of Representatives even passed three anti-lynching bills, but all failed on the floor of the Senate despite the lobbying of seven U.S. Presidents. Because of the Senate’s refusal to pass the legislation, the federal government was left powerless to intervene and protect Americans from these heinous acts of mob violence.
The historic apology, S. Res. 39, was first proposed by Senators Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and George Allen, R-Va., who were motivated after reading the book “Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America,” a pictorial history of lynching in America by James Allen.
“The impact of the pictures was overwhelming and proved to be a very educational and emotional experience for me,” Senator Landrieu said. “The more I learned about this terrorism in America, the more committed I became to doing something positive and passing this resolution.
“The Senate failed these Americans. If we truly want to move forward, we must admit that failure and learn from it.”
“Thankfully, justice in our Nation has moved forward and left such despicable acts to history,” said Senator Allen. “But, this story can never be complete without an acknowledgement from this body that it failed to protect individual freedoms and rights. This apology is long overdue and I’m pleased the Senate will finally extend one to thousands of victims, their families, and ancestors.”
“The tolerance so long shown to the lynching rope shames America’s commitment to justice and equality,” said James H. Madison, the Thomas and Kathryn Miller Professor of History at Indiana University who has long studied lynching and its impact on America. “By acknowledging its failure to act in the past the Senate today is embracing our highest ideals.”
Several official guests have traveled to Washington today to be honored by the Senate before the vote, including nearly 200 victims’ descendants and the only known lynching survivor in America, Mr. James Cameron, 91.
In August of 1930, Cameron was arrested in Marion, Ind., and taken to the local jail along with two friends, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith. A mob soon broke into the jail and drug out all three young men. Shipp and Smith were hanged in the public square by the mob, following which another rope was thrown over Cameron’s head. As the noose was tightened in front of a crowd of 2,000 citizens, a voice shouted out that Cameron was not guilty and should not be killed. Miraculously, Cameron was cut down and carried back to the jail to face charges of robbery. He was later pardoned in 1993 by then-Governor, now Senator, Evan Bayh, D-Ind.
“The apology is a good idea, but it still won’t bring anyone back.” Cameron said in response to Monday’s event. “And I hope that the next time it won’t take so long to admit our mistakes.”
“This is a great day for Grandpa Crawford,” remarked Ms. Doria Dee Johnson, referring to her great-grandfather, Andrew Crawford. Crawford was a wealthy farmer, businessman and community leader in Abbeville, S.C., when he was lynched by a crowd of about 300 citizens and local government officials in 1916.
“For African-Americans, it is also very significant,” Johnson continued. “While it is late, it is necessary. In addition to the 4,742 victims identified in the apology, we are mindful that there are many more victims and families who have not been included. We uplift their memories and honor them today as well.”
Both Ms. Johnson and Mr. Crawford are expected to be in the Senate gallery today to witness the unanimous passage of the historic apology to them and the thousands of other Americans affected by the tragic legacy of lynching.
"An apology won’t change Senate history," Senator Landrieu concluded. “But I sincerely hope that it will give us all an opportunity to re-examine our own mistakes, and the mistakes of other institutions, so together we can make our country a better place for all our children.”
The Louisiana State Legislature is expected to pass a similar resolution today.
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All senators took part in this public apology....all except a few who refused.
WHO you ask?
STILL HAVEN'T COSPONSORED
Lamar Alexander (R-TN) - (202) 224-4944
Robert Bennett (R-UT) - (202) 224-5444
Thad Cochran (R-MS) - (202) 224-5054
John Cornyn (R-TX) - (202) 224-2934
Michael Crapo (R-ID) - (202) 224-6142
Michael Enzi (R-WY) - (202) 224-3424
Chuck Grassley (R-IA) - (202) 224-3744
Judd Gregg (R-NH) - (202) 224-3324
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) - (202) 224-5251
Kay Hutchison (R-TX) - (202) 224-5922
Jon Kyl (R-AZ) - (202) 224-4521
Trent Lott (R-MS) - (202) 224-6253
Richard Shelby (R-AL) - (202) 224-5744
John Sununu (R-NH) - (202) 224-2841
Craig Thomas (R-WY) - (202) 224-6441
LATEST TWO WHO NOW HAVE COSPONSORED
George Voinovich (R-OH)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/06/latest-list-of-republican-pro-lynching.html