Introducing a Resolution to Commend the Australians' Unqualified Apology to Indigenous Australians and Torres Islanders

INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE AUSTRALIANS' UNQUALIFIED APOLOGY TO INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS AND TORRES ISLANDERS

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HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

of florida

in the house of representatives

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that commends the Australian government for apologizing for its mistreatment of Indigenous Australians and Torres Islanders, and for committing to fighting the disparities that continue to impact Indigenous communities. Indigenous Australians first arrived on the continent more than 50,000 years ago, developed one of the oldest cultures on earth, and made world renowned contributions to the arts, politics and athletics despite the hardships that they faced at home. From the mass killings of Indigenous people by European settlers during the 18th Century to restricting Indigenous Australians from the right to vote until 1962, violence, discrimination and disenfranchisement have however, played a significant role in European and Indigenous relations for centuries. Perhaps Australia's most notorious action against the Indigenous population during the 20th Century was the Australian government's authorization of the removal of tens of thousands of children of native and mixed ancestry from their homes under the Protection Acts. These were inspired by racist and pseudo-scientific notions of cultural and racial superiority, and designed to eradicate Indigenous culture and the very existence of the Indigenous people. The victims of this national atrocity are often referred to as the Stolen Generation. Madam Speaker, the legacy of official and unofficial discriminatory practices by the Australian Government has contributed to substandard education, health, employment and lack of political power among Australia's Indigenous population. On average, Indigenous Australians die 17 years earlier than white Australians, and have higher instances of infant mortality, unemployment and homelessness. These figures are a jarring reminder that Australia's prosperity has yet to fully reach the people who first inhabited the land. On February 13, 2008 millions of Australians of all colors and ethnicities witnessed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's formal apology--on behalf of the Australian Government and its Parliament--to the Indigenous and Torres Island community. The long awaited apology was accompanied with a promise from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to donate $4.6 billion to fund initiatives to improve life expectancy, health, education and employment in Indigenous communities. Nearly a year later, Prime Minister Rudd addressed the nation and reported on the status of the initiatives that were implemented and drafted after the apology, and reiterated the importance of change and reconciliation. Madam Speaker, American Theologian Author:Tryon Edwards said, "Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past." The value of Australia's apology is undoubtedly determined by the Australian government's ability to aggressively address the systemic inequalities that exclude most Indigenous people from the standard of living that is held by the vast majority of non-Indigenous Australians. Like Australia, racial disparities exist in the United States. As we commend Australia on its willingness to confront its past, let us also reflect on our history with the purpose of comprehensively targeting the residual barriers that prevent some Americans from accessing opportunities in this country.