Mississippi legislators set to abolish slavery
March 13, 1995 Mississippi legislators abolish slavery
Slavery. It's finally - officially - on the way to being over. History. And it only took 130 years for the Mississippi Senate tO see its way clear to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
March 13, 1995 Mississippi legislators abolish slavery
Slavery. It's finally - officially - on the way to being over. History. And it only took 130 years for the Mississippi Senate tO see its way clear to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The only state never to outlaw slavery, Mississippi held out when the amendment was adopted in 1865, in part because lawmakers were upset they were not reimbursed for freed slaves from the federal government.
But Democratic state Senator Hillman Frazier, who brought the state's inaction on the matter back to the table this Year, insisted that it's never too late and the legislative body had an obligation to address
"It's never a waste of time to correct a wrong," said Frazier, the great-grandson of slaves. "I think it's very important for us to show the world that we have Put the past behind us."
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson congratulated Frazier for introducing the bill that he said was long overdue.
"I commend Senator Frazier for being persistent in moving the bill through the legislative Process, where it passed on a voice vote without any objection," said Thompson.
Thompson went on to say, while it is symbolic to ratify the 13th Amendment at this time, it still is the right thing to do. I hope that this will give the legislature the incentive to continue to pass legislation that will improve the quality of life for all Mississippians, particularly African Americans who have suffered from past discriminatory practices of the state government.
