S.Res. 591 — Introduced in Senate

III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 591 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 7, 2022Mr. Blumenthal submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of April 10, 2022, as Venture Smith Freedom Day. Whereas, in about 1729, Venture Smith was born free in West Africa and, in 1739, was seized from his home and enslaved in New England; Whereas 257 years ago, in the year 1765, Venture Smith, at the age of 36, purchased his freedom; Whereas Venture Smith went on to free his family from the bondage of slavery; Whereas Venture Smith became a successful landowner, businessman, and author in the United States, generations before Black Americans began to obtain constitutional, legal, social, and economic rights; Whereas, in November 1798, Venture Smith was the first African American to write and publish his own autobiography; Whereas Venture Smith was the first person to write and publish the phrase, My freedom is a privilege which nothing else can equal; Whereas Venture Smith died a free man on September 19, 1805, in Connecticut; and Whereas April 10 would be an appropriate date to designate as Venture Smith Freedom Day: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate supports the designation of Venture Smith Freedom Day on April 10, which would recognize the 257th anniversary of Venture Smith purchasing his freedom and going on to become a landowner, businessman, and author in Connecticut.