H.Res. 578

[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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