2009 -- H 6183

=======

LC02447

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2009

____________

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON FOR JOHN ARTHUR JOHNSON

     Introduced By: Representatives Almeida, Williams, Fox, Diaz, and Carnevale

     Date Introduced: May 12, 2009

     Referred To: House Constituent Services

1-1

     WHEREAS, John Arthur "Jack" Johnson was born in 1878, the son of slaves. He was

1-2

both physically and mentally strong, intelligent and well read, and fiercely independent. More

1-3

significant was that he chose not to allow the discriminatory norms of society dictate the terms of

1-4

his life. He chose to pursue life on his own terms; and  

1-5

     WHEREAS, In 1908, after repeatedly being denied a shot at the heavy weight boxing

1-6

championship title, based solely on the color of his skin, Jack Johnson finally got an opportunity

1-7

for a challenge fight when Canadian Tommy Burns became the reigning Champion; and  

1-8

     WHEREAS, Jack Johnson handily defeated Burns in fourteen rounds, becoming Boxing

1-9

Heavy Weight Champion of the World. Across the country white boxing fans sought the next

1-10

"Great White Hope" who could defeat Johnson and take back the title, but Johnson’s prowess

1-11

prevailed as he summarily defeated one challenger after another; and  

1-12

     WHEREAS, Jack Johnson had also been romantically linked with a number of white

1-13

women over the years, a situation that further antagonized a deeply prejudiced nation; and  

1-14

     WHEREAS, In 1913, Johnson was found guilty by an all white jury for violating the

1-15

Mann Act, an act that made it illegal to cross state lines with a women for immoral purposes. He

1-16

was given the maximum sentence of one year and one day. Johnson fled the United States but

1-17

returned in 1920 to serve out his term. He passed away in 1946; and  

1-18

     WHEREAS, Calling this conviction a grave injustice, Congress introduced Senate

1-19

Resolution 16 and House Resolution 91 asking President Barack Obama to pardon Jack Johnson;

1-20

and  

2-1

     WHEREAS, Jack Johnson lived during a time in our country’s history when human

2-2

rights and equality for all men and women were still but a “dream”. His conviction was racially

2-3

motivated and discriminatory. He was convicted by prejudice and intolerance, not by true justice;

2-4

and  

2-5

     WHEREAS, While this nation cannot rewrite its history, we do hold the power to right

2-6

some of the wrongs from our past and help to heal some of our country’s wounds; now, therefore

2-7

be it  

2-8

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

2-9

Providence Plantations hereby supports United States Senate Resolution 16 and House Resolution

2-10

91 in respectfully urging President Barack Obama to issue a full pardon to Jack Johnson for his

2-11

1913 conviction of violating the Mann Act; and be it further 

2-12

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

2-13

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States Barack

2-14

Obama and the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

=======

LC02447

=======