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Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

USA119th CongressHRES-1180| House 
| Updated: 4/15/2026
Eleanor Holmes Norton

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Democratic Representative

District of Columbia

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution acknowledges the profound historical and cultural importance of District of Columbia Emancipation Day , observed annually on April 16th. It commemorates President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862, which freed approximately 3,100 enslaved individuals in the Nation's capital and authorized compensation to their former enslavers. This act predated the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment, marking a significant step in the nation's complex journey towards ending slavery. The resolution connects this historical emancipation to the contemporary struggle for full democratic rights for DC residents, who, despite paying federal taxes and fulfilling civic duties, lack voting representation in Congress and face congressional interference in local governance. It highlights that the House of Representatives has twice passed the Washington, DC Admission Act . The resolution concludes by recognizing the symbolic link between the end of slavery in DC and the aspirations for statehood, urging Congress to pass the statehood bill to grant DC residents the same rights and freedoms afforded to residents of states.
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Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 118-295
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 118-1146
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 117-1053
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 116-929
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating attaining the requisite number of cosponsors for passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
Apr 15, 2026
Submitted in House
Apr 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 118-295
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 118-1146
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 117-1053
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 116-929
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating attaining the requisite number of cosponsors for passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
  • April 15, 2026
    Submitted in House
  • April 15, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Related Bills

  • HRES 119-333: Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

USA119th CongressHRES-1180| House 
| Updated: 4/15/2026
This resolution acknowledges the profound historical and cultural importance of District of Columbia Emancipation Day , observed annually on April 16th. It commemorates President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862, which freed approximately 3,100 enslaved individuals in the Nation's capital and authorized compensation to their former enslavers. This act predated the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment, marking a significant step in the nation's complex journey towards ending slavery. The resolution connects this historical emancipation to the contemporary struggle for full democratic rights for DC residents, who, despite paying federal taxes and fulfilling civic duties, lack voting representation in Congress and face congressional interference in local governance. It highlights that the House of Representatives has twice passed the Washington, DC Admission Act . The resolution concludes by recognizing the symbolic link between the end of slavery in DC and the aspirations for statehood, urging Congress to pass the statehood bill to grant DC residents the same rights and freedoms afforded to residents of states.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 118-295
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 118-1146
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 117-1053
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

Bill from Previous Congress

HRES 116-929
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating attaining the requisite number of cosponsors for passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
Apr 15, 2026
Submitted in House
Apr 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 118-295
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 118-1146
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 117-1053
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HRES 116-929
    Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating attaining the requisite number of cosponsors for passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
  • April 15, 2026
    Submitted in House
  • April 15, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Eleanor Holmes Norton

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Democratic Representative

District of Columbia

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Related Bills

  • HRES 119-333: Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted