WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a resolution
apologizing to African-Americans for the wrongs of slavery.

The nonbinding resolution sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is
similar to a House resolution adopted last year that acknowledged the
wrongs of slavery but offered no reparations. The House will have to
vote on the issue again because the composition of that chamber changed
after last November's elections.

The resolution was approved on a voice vote.

Because it is nonbinding, it does not have to be forwarded to the
president for his signature.

Several states have passed similar resolutions, but the House resolution
was the first time a branch of the federal government did so.

Harkin's resolution "acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty,
brutality and inhumanity of slavery, and Jim Crow laws," and "apologizes
to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States for
the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under
slavery and Jim Crow laws."

Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enacted mostly in U.S. Southern
and border states between the 1870s and 1965 that denied
African-Americans the right to vote and other civil liberties, as well
as legally segregated them from whites.

Some members of the African-American community have called on lawmakers
to give cash payments or other financial benefits to descendants of
slaves as compensation for the suffering caused by slavery.
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We were too kind to the secessionists and the Confederate Army.



"John H" wrote in message
...

Please note that Interstate 90 will be closed this weekend across
South Dakota. This closure will allow the Federal Government free
access to haul a 200 ton piece of coal to Mt. Rushmore so that
President Obama can be added to the Presidents on the monument.
--
John H

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John Herring, rec.boat's resident racist.