Lautenberg, Payne Hail New Law Commemorating Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Lautenberg, Payne Hail New Law Commemorating Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

WASHINGTON, DC – President Bush signed into law last week a measure championed by Rep. Donald Payne (NJ-10) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) creating a federal commission to coordinate activities for the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

This year marks the bicentennial of the “Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves,” which effectively ended the legal transatlantic slave trade.

“The abolition of the transatlantic slave trade was a crucial step on the long road to finally ending slavery in our country,” Lautenberg said.  “This commission will help remind our nation of the horrors of slavery and help us learn critical lessons from this disturbing period in our history.” 

Representative Payne said, “Our legislation marking this significant event in our history will help us remember the lessons of our past by honoring the lives of those who became part of the African diaspora. Our nation’s willingness to confront and assess the impact of slavery on the United States strengthens our ability to serve as a human rights advocate on the international stage.”

The U.S. Constitution prohibited the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade prior to 1808.  On March 3, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed into law the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act, which prohibited the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, effective January 1, 1808.

Prior to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, more than ten million Africans were kidnapped, purchased, and sent to the Americas where those who survived the horrific journey were sold into slavery.  Although the transatlantic slave trade was abolished in 1808, slavery persisted within the United States until the 1865 ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.

The commission established by the new law will plan, develop and execute programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.  The commission will work with educational and historical organizations and state and local governments to coordinate commemoration activities and will study the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the United States.

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