MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Reynolds, Cockerham, Robinson (63rd), Smith (27th), Watson, Whittington
A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SLAVE TRADE ACT AND COMMENDING THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT FOR HAVING THE FORESIGHT TO FREE THE ENSLAVED.
WHEREAS, March 25, 2007, marked the 200th Anniversary of the enactment of the Slave Trade Act; and
WHEREAS, the British Parliament voted in favor of the Slave Trade Act on February 23, 1807, the bill received Royal Assent and became law on March 25, 1807; and
WHEREAS, the act was the lifelong mission of William Wilberforce that prohibited ships from transporting slaves; and
WHEREAS, William Wilberforce was a member of the British House of Commons who fought for 20 years to pass legislation banning the slave trade; and
WHEREAS, as a result of his efforts, on February 23, 1807, the British Parliament passed a bill banning the slave trade in the British Empire and in 1833, the House of Commons voted to abolish slavery altogether; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilberforce's passion and commitment to end the British slave trade and renew the culture solidified the inherency of human dignity and sanctity of human life; and
WHEREAS, he became an evangelical Christian at age 25 within the Anglican Church and when he learned of the evils of slave trade, he devoted his life to its abolition and wrote, "So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did the Trade's wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for abolition"; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend historical acts such as the abolition of the Slave Trade which was a catalyst to abolishing slavery in other parts of the world:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Slave Trade Act and commend the British Parliament for having the foresight to free the enslaved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capital Press Corps.