HR 1699: United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade; 03/25/26; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives formally recognizes March 25, 2026 as the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it is a ceremonial statement explaining why the day matters, tracing history from the transatlantic slave trade through the Civil War, the Freedmen's Bureau, and Bishop Henry McNeal Turner's work in Georgia's Reconstruction-era legislature and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The resolution also highlights Atlanta's Big Bethel AME Church and its connection to Pan-African history, including a 1917 visit by Marcus Garvey. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press, which is the resolution's only operative action.

• Formally recognizes March 25, 2026 as the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
• Creates no new law, funding, penalty, or program; it is a commemorative statement only.
• References Georgia's earlier House Bill 303 recognizing Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the Reconstruction-era Original 33 legislators.

This resolution primarily affects the public record and civic recognition; it does not impose duties on residents, businesses, or agencies beyond directing the House Clerk to distribute copies. It is symbolically relevant to Georgians interested in African American history, Atlanta's civic institutions, and descendants of enslaved people.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it carries no legal or financial consequences and changes no rights or obligations. Its significance is symbolic, formally placing the Georgia House on record marking the day and connecting it to state history involving Reconstruction and civil rights.

• The resolving clause recognizes March 25, 2026 as the UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
• A series of whereas clauses recount history including the transatlantic slave trade, the Civil War, Special Field Orders No. 15, and the Freedmen's Bureau in Georgia.
• The resolution cites Bishop Henry McNeal Turner's role in Georgia's Reconstruction constitutions, the AME Church, and calls for reparations.
• A final resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available to the public and the press.

1. 2026-03-12House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-12House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-12House Hopper (House)

• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)Primary sponsor
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
• Gabe Okoye (D, HD-102)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-096)
• Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)

• African American history
• civil rights
• Atlanta history
• legislative resolution
• reparations