2022 -- H 7325

========

LC004480

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 252ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE

FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT ON FEBRUARY 3, 2022

     Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Abney, Ranglin-Vassell, Williams, Filippi,
Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Morales, Hull, and J Lombardi

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, As the American Civil War was entering its final stages, thought within the

Union turned to the issue of how to reconstruct the American South and return the region to being

part of a united nation once again. The end result was the passage of the Reconstruction Acts, the

Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, with all

being adopted between 1865 and 1870; and

     WHEREAS, The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and

involuntary servitude, and the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, provided for full

citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws for all Americans; and

     WHEREAS, Despite the end of the Civil War and Slavery, most southern states tried to

return former slaves to something similar to their former status by instituting the infamous “Black

Codes” which restricted the freed slaves right to free movement, forced them into unfair year-

long labor contracts, impinged on their rights from testifying in court, as well as voting and many

other limitations on their freedoms; and

     WHEREAS, In response to these assaults on liberty and freedom, forces in Congress

began working on a constitutional amendment to protect black voting rights. United States

Representative John Bingham of Ohio led the charge, and a compromise amendment banning

voting restrictions based on race, color or previous condition of servitude passed the United

States House of Representatives on February 25, 1869, and the United States Senate the following

day; and

     WHEREAS, With the strong support of President Ulysses S. Grant, all of the New

England States, including Rhode Island’s ratification on January 18th, 1870, and most of the

Midwest States, the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution protecting Black

voting rights from Federal or State encroachment, was finally ratified on February 3, 1870; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates the 252nd Anniversary of the ratification of the Fifteenth amendment to the

United States Constitution on February 3rd, 2022; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of

the United States, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, and the Honorable Daniel R.

McKee, Governor of the State of Rhode Island.

========

LC004480

========

LC004480 - Page 2 of 2