1989
Washington DC, USA
On 20 November 1989, Congressman John Conyers Jr first introduces the 'Commission to Study Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act'.
The original act calls for a commission to: 1. 'examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present, including the lingering negative effects on living African Americans and on U.S. society'; and 2. 'recommend appropriate remedies, including whether the U.S. Government should offer a formal apology and whether some form of compensation is warranted and, if so, its amount, form, and eligibility requirements'. Conyers has continued to resubmit this bill at the beginning of each session, but has yet to succeed in achieving the accord of Congress.