HR0453
House Resolution 0453 aims to support African American descendants of enslaved individuals in reconnecting with their ancestral roots through advanced genetic genealogy methods. The resolution recognizes the significant impact of slavery on breaking familial connections and endorses the Family Roots Genealogy Pilot Program. This program seeks to restore personal, familial, and cultural ties by providing tools and resources to help descendants trace their genealogical roots back to Africa, specifically Ghana, and facilitate the re-establishment of these long-lost connections.
View Current Bill StatusPurpose
The purpose of HR0453 is to address the historical and generational trauma caused by slavery, which severed familial ties and erased the cultural histories of millions of African Americans. With the support of genetic genealogy research, HR0453 aims to provide African American descendants with a direct avenue to trace their ancestry, in the hope of restoring their sense of personal belonging and ethnic identity. The Family Roots Genealogy Pilot Program is designed to serve as a reparative initiative, enabling participants to trace and uncover their ancestral roots and strengthen their connections to Africa.
Connection to TAKiR
HR0453 is intricately connected to the TAKiR Project, as both share the goal of providing African descendants with the opportunity to reconnect with their African heritage. TAKiR’s mission to build a genetic genealogy repository directly aligns with HR0453’s objectives of tracing familial roots and providing genetic evidence of African origins to participants. Through the collaboration between HR0453 and TAKiR, the data collected from the program will be a significant contribution to creating a comprehensive repository that furthers research efforts and supports African Americans in tracing their lineage back to African countries, making long-lost genealogical connections.
Importance
The significance of HR0453 lies in its ability to pave the way for healing and reconnection among African American descendants of enslaved individuals. The mass human trafficking that forcibly displaced African people across the Atlantic tore families apart, erasing ancestral histories and leaving generations without a sense of belonging. HR0453 recognizes the moral obligation of the U.S. to assist African Americans in reclaiming these lost histories. This initiative not only helps individuals rediscover their ancestral roots but also seeks to address the broader impact of slavery on personal and collective identities. By equipping African Americans with the means to rediscover their roots, HR0453 promotes cultural restoration and personal healing, marking a crucial and necessary step toward addressing historical injustices.
Outreach
A critical component of HR0453 is its outreach efforts, which seek to inform and engage African American communities across Illinois. Through educational programs, public events, and collaboration with community leaders, HR0453 seeks to encourage participation in the Family Roots Genealogy Pilot Program. These outreach initiatives are essential for ensuring that individuals are informed of the opportunities available to them. HR0453’s outreach efforts aim to help build trust and foster relationships within communities, promoting the success of the program.
Free Kits
HR0453 is determined to broaden participation by providing free DNA testing kits to eligible participants. These kits allow African American descendants to submit their saliva samples for analysis at no cost, breaking financial barriers that may prevent individuals from reconnecting with their history. The provision of these cost-free kits is integral to the initiative, as they facilitate active participation in genetic genealogy research and the revelation of familial ties that were disrupted during the transatlantic slave trade. The results from these kits will be instrumental in building the genetic repository and advancing the goals of both HR0453 and TAKiR.
Future Efforts
HR0453 lays the foundation for future efforts interested in expanding the scope of genealogical research as a reparative tool. The data collected from HR0453 will contribute to future research efforts, enabling a deeper understanding of African American genealogies and promoting further exploration into the impacts of the transatlantic slave trade. HR0453 represents just the beginning of an ongoing effort to help restore the lost connections of African American families, with plans for continued growth and development in the years to come.