Legislation Stratigies Commission

Mission Statement

The mission of the Legislative Commission of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America is to work towards achieving a comprehensive award of reparations for African Americans based on slavery and post-slavery discrimination in the legislative arena through support of reparations initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels.

In support of this mission, the Legislative Commission will:

  • Seek to achieve passage of HR 40, "The Commission to Study Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act," introduced each year since 1989 by Congressman John Conyers and be NCOBRA's official liaison with the office of Congressman John Conyers
  • Work towards Congressional hearings on reparations
  • Seek the introduction of a companion bill to HR 40 in the Senate
  • Be an advocate for the introduction and passage of reparations legislation nationwide
  • Maintain a repository of reparations legislation introduced and/or passed at the federal, state, and local levels
  • Prepare and disseminate materials to assist NCOBRA chapters in their lobbying efforts
  • Formulate objectives and a strategic legislative agenda for each congressional session

During the 107th Congress members of NCOBRA's Legislative Commission accomplished the following:

  • Formulated draft resolutions for state and local legislatures to adopt, as well as resolutions for organizations and prominent individuals to endorse
  • Provided comments to state and local legislators on their reparations proposals and testified in support of such legislation
  • Formulated and distributed legislative packets for NCOBRA members and other interested parties to assist in their national lobbying efforts
  • Adopted the "A Year of Black Presence" (AYBP) campaign as a strategic organizing tool to increase constituent pressure on Congress to support HR 40

The Legislative Commission's Objectives for the 1st Session of the 108th Congress are as follows:

  • Implement the AYBP campaign, initiated by AYBP coordinator Milton McGriff of the NCOBRA Philadelphia Chapter
  • Continue the compilation of state and local resolutions and organizational/individual endorsements of reparations
  • Continue to support state and local legislators in adopting reparations/type legislation
  • Targeting of specific Congressional Caucuses beyond the Congressional Black Caucus to support HR 40
  • Liaison with other national and local organizations to coordinate legislative initiatives