Cleaver Introduces Resolution Denouncing Racial Covenants
CLEAVER INTRODUCES RESOLUTION DENOUNCING RACIAL COVENANTS
May 5, 2005
Encourages States to Remove Racial Restrictions from Housing Documents
(Washington, DC)-Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives (H Res. 259) condemning the existence of racially restrictive covenants in housing documents that ban minority populations from certain neighborhoods and urging states to adopt legislation to address the issue.
"It is appalling that these covenants still exist in communities all over the nation," said Congressman Cleaver. "They are contrary to the freedoms our country stands for and send a clear message to minorities that racism and discrimination are tolerable and still alive in America."
Racially restrictive covenants were widely utilized in the early part of the 20th century to discriminate against African Americans, Jews and minorities and ethnic groups by prohibiting the sale or lease of real property to designated racial or ethnic minorities.
While they are no longer enforced under the Fair Housing Act, tens of thousands of racially restrictive covenants remain in housing documents including plats, deeds and home owner association bylaws. Representative Cleaver's resolution has received bipartisan support and garnered 17 original co-sponsors.
"I applaud my colleagues who stand with me in condemning these offensive clauses and encouraging states to follow the examples of Missouri and California and enact laws that will help property owners remove racially restrictive covenants," said Cleaver.
Last month, the Missouri State Senate approved legislation requiring homeowner associations to remove racially restrictive covenants. Additionally, the State of California enacted legislation permitting individual property owners to submit a modified document with the covenant stricken, as well as requiring homeowner associations to remove racially restrictive covenants.
If approved, a copy of the resolution will be delivered to the Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State of each State.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo05_cleaver/PR5MAY05.html