MI CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE RESOLUTION TO MARK 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MEMORIAL MONUMENT IN DETROIT

Washington, D.C. – Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation introduced H.Res. 946, a resolution in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate 15 years since the opening of the International Underground Railroad Memorial Monument (IURMM). 

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

Led in the House of Representatives by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Sandy Levin (MI-9), and Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-5); and the Senate by Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, the resolution honors Detroit’s role as a crossing point into Canada for those traveling the Underground Railroad.  Comprised of the Gateway to Freedom Monument in Detroit, Michigan, and the Tower of Freedom Monument in Windsor, Ontario, the IURMM opened in October 2001 as a way for the region to honor the sacrifices and the courage of those who fought to secure freedom for themselves, their families, and others.

“These two monuments—in Detroit and Windsor—stand as reminders of what we have been through, the obstacles we’ve overcome, and the strength we have to address present injustices,” said Rep. Conyers.  “Americans must never forget the parts of our history that we regret, or the heroic actions of those who fought to change the future. The International Underground Railroad Memorial Monument plays an important part in that, here in Detroit.”

“The City of Detroit played a critical role in the Underground Railroad, serving as the doorway to freedom for African Americans seeking refuge in Canada,” said Senator Peters. “I’m honored to join my Michigan colleagues to recognize these monuments that stand as a symbol of the people who fought for their own freedom and the freedom of others during a dark chapter in our nation’s history.”

The International Underground Railroad Memorial Monument represents a cross-border partnership that seeks to educate the next generation about our history, and help the current generation remember the sacrifices others have made to provide us the opportunities we need to succeed.

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Conyers, Clarke, and Levin Pay Tribute to the City of Detroit and Canadian Government’s Underground Railroad Memorial

For Immediate Release

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011

Contact: Matthew Morgan (Conyers) – 202-226-5543

              Kim Bowman (Clarke) – 517-256-4500

              Tara Andringa (Levin) – 202-228-3685

          

Conyers, Clarke, and Levin Pay Tribute to the City of Detroit and Canadian Government’s Underground Railroad Memorial (WASHINGTON) – Today, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) along with Representative Hansen Clarke (D-Mich.) and Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) introduced resolutions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate marking the 10-year anniversary of the Underground Railroad Memorial. In October 2001, the City of Detroit joined with the City of Windsor in Ontario, Canada to honor the courage of former American slaves and organizers of the Underground Railroad who risked their lives so others could be free. The observance of the ten year commemoration of the Underground Railroad Memorial will be celebrated from October 19, 2011 through October 22, 2011. “Scores of Americans worked in the Underground Railroad Movement and risked their lives and their liberty so that their fellow African-American citizens could live free,” said Rep. Conyers.  “The Underground Railroad Memorial serves as a proud reminder that we live in a country where the values of fairness and social justice have repeatedly triumphed over small mindedness and bigotry.” “Detroit was the symbol of hope and the gateway to freedom for many of our ancestors.  This monument honors their struggle, sacrifice and courage,”  said Rep. Hansen Clarke.  “In commemorating the anniversary of these memorials, we recall the proud legacy of opposition to the evil of slavery that Detroit and Windsor share, and we pay tribute to those who heroically led slaves along the corridors of freedom, most notably, fearless abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman, a runaway slave who led hundreds of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad on their journey north to freedom.  The suffering, degradation and brutality of slavery cannot be repaired, but the memory can serve to ensure that no such inhumanity is ever perpetrated again on American soil,” said Senator Levin. ###

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