Legal News

Florida Lawmakers Apologize for Slavery

The Florida Senate and state House of Representatives have passed a joint resolution expressing "profound regret" for the state's history of slavery and denial of fair treatment to African-Americans. The Senate Concurrent Resolution declares that "even though the laws permitting such injustices have been repealed, it is important that the Legislature express profound regret for the shameful chapter in this state's history and, in so doing, promote healing and reconciliation among all Floridians." The New York Times reports that Wednesday's resolution by the Florida legislature resembles official declarations from state lawmakers in North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.

• Florida House and Senate Resolution on Slavery [PDF file]
• Florida Legislature Apologizes for State's History of Slavery (N.Y. Times)
• North Carolina Legislature Apologizes for Slavery
• Maryland Legislature Approves Resolution Apologizing for State's Role in Slavery
• Civil Rights Center (FindLaw)

Full post as published by FindLaw's Common Law on March 28, 2008 (boomark / email).