HRES-1382-117
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1531, H. Res. 1382 is considered passed House. (text: CR H10074)
Sponsored by Nikema Williams (D-GA)
What it does
This resolution condemns the actions of White supremacist mobs during the 1906 Atlanta race massacre, in which at least 25 Black residents were killed, hundreds were wounded, and thousands of Black-owned homes and businesses were destroyed. It honors the memory of the victims, expresses support for designating a national day of remembrance for victims of forced migrations of Black Americans, and reaffirms the House's commitment to combating White supremacy and seeking reconciliation for racial injustice. As a simple House resolution, it does not create law, appropriate funds, or impose any legal obligations.
Who benefits
Descendants of the 1906 Atlanta massacre victims and the broader Atlanta Black community, who gain formal congressional acknowledgment of the event. Historians, educators, and civil rights organizations who advocate for official recognition of racial violence in American history. Advocates for a national day of remembrance for victims of forced migrations of Black Americans, whose cause receives congressional expression of support.
Who is hurt
This resolution creates no legal obligations, penalties, or spending, so no group faces a direct material harm. Some critics of congressional resolutions on historical events may object on procedural or philosophical grounds, arguing that such resolutions set a precedent for ongoing legislative action on historical grievances — though this is an indirect and speculative concern rather than a concrete harm.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the 1906 Atlanta massacre — in which a mob of up to 10,000 people killed at least 25 Black residents, wounded hundreds more, and destroyed thousands of Black-owned properties — has never received formal federal acknowledgment despite its documented, lasting impact on Black wealth and displacement in Atlanta. They contend that official condemnation is a necessary step toward reconciliation, consistent with prior congressional resolutions acknowledging historical injustices such as Japanese American internment, and that the resolution costs nothing while providing meaningful recognition to affected communities.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that simple House resolutions expressing condemnation of historical events are largely symbolic and do not address the structural inequalities the resolution itself acknowledges — such as persistent wealth gaps rooted in property destruction and displacement. They contend that congressional time and attention would be better directed toward substantive legislation with measurable outcomes, and that resolutions of this kind, without accompanying policy action, may function more as political statements than as meaningful steps toward the reconciliation they invoke.