1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21098January 2, 2002An Overview of H.R. 40 the “Commission toStudy Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act”Christopher Alan JenningsAmerican Law Division Legislative AttorneyS
2、ummaryH.R. 40 would establish a federal commission to study the capture, transport, sale,and treatment of slaves from the colonial period through the civil war, and to detail howthe institution of slavery deprived its victims of family, freedom, culture, and property.The bill also tasks the commissi
3、on to examine federal and state laws that perpetuated theinstitution of slavery and the de facto or de jure discrimination against African-Americansafter slaverys abolishment. The bill also directs the commission to evaluate slaveryslingering effects on African-Americans today. A primary purpose of
4、the commission isto determine whether remedies in consideration of the foregoing are warranted, and, ifso, to recommend appropriate reparations.This report describes the commissions purpose and function, and examines itsadministrative powers and structure. It will be updated as circumstances warrant
