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

[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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