119-hres578

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 578 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 578

 Honoring the memory of the victims of the 1967 Newark riots and 
 acknowledging the enduring impact on the Newark community.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 July 14, 2025

 Mrs. McIver (for herself, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and Mr. Conaway) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
 on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Honoring the memory of the victims of the 1967 Newark riots and 
 acknowledging the enduring impact on the Newark community.

Whereas the 1967 Newark riots were a significant period of civil unrest that 
 occurred from July 12 to July 17, 1967, in Newark, New Jersey, resulting 
 in the loss of 26 lives, injuries to over 700 individuals, and more than 
 1,400 arrests;
Whereas the unrest was sparked by the arrest and brutal treatment of a Black 
 taxicab driver, John William Smith, by White police officers, igniting 
 longstanding frustrations related to systemic racism, economic 
 disparities, discrimination, and police brutality within the Black 
 community;
Whereas the events that followed led to widespread protests, looting, violent 
 clashes, and extensive property damage across Newark, with most of the 
 destruction impacting Black neighborhoods and businesses;
Whereas the deployment of the National Guard and State Police, involving 
 approximately 7,900 personnel, was marked by reports of excessive force 
 and further escalated tensions between law enforcement and Newark 
 residents;
Whereas the Newark riots exposed the deep racial tensions and poverty that 
 disproportionately affected Black residents, who faced unemployment, 
 substandard housing, and lack of access to quality education and health 
 care;
Whereas the events in Newark were part of the broader ``Long Hot Summer of 
 1967'', during which over 150 instances of civil unrest occurred across 
 the United States, highlighting pervasive racial inequities and 
 injustices;
Whereas, despite the significant loss and suffering caused by the riots, the 
 events also served as a catalyst for change, sparking local and national 
 conversations about racial justice, police accountability, and the need 
 for meaningful economic and social reforms in underserved communities;
Whereas Governor Richard J. Hughes created the Governor's Select Commission for 
 the Study of Civil Disorder in New Jersey, also known as the ``Lilley 
 Commission'', which cited neglected social, political, and economic 
 issues and frustrations as key factors to the urban unrest;
Whereas the 1968 report by the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, 
 known as the Kerner Commission, identified systemic racism, economic 
 inequality, and inadequate political representation as root causes of 
 the unrest in Newark and other cities;
Whereas the community in Newark organized sufficiently to negotiate with 
 Federal, State, and local officials to conceive of and implement long 
 term partial solutions for low income housing, access to job training, 
 jobs, and access to better health care; and
Whereas the legacy of the 1967 Newark riots continues to influence the social, 
 economic, and political landscape of Newark, serving as a poignant 
 reminder of the necessity for ongoing efforts toward racial justice and 
 equality; and
Whereas we must honor the memories of those affected by the riots, recognize the 
 historical significance of the events, and acknowledge the ongoing 
 struggles faced by communities impacted by systemic inequality in New 
 Jersey and nationwide and the ability of the community to design and 
 implement solutions with the help of State and Federal resources: Now, 
 therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) honors the memory of the individuals who lost their 
 lives and acknowledges the suffering of those injured and 
 affected during the 1967 Newark riots;

    (2) recognizes the profound and enduring impact of the 1967 
 Newark riots on the community of Newark and the broader 
 national discourse on civil rights and social justice; and

    (3) commits to supporting initiatives that address racial 
 and economic disparities, promote equitable law enforcement 
 practices, and foster community engagement to prevent the 
 recurrence of such unrest.
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