Texas House Bill HCR51

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Creating a joint interim committee to study the legacy of convict leasing in Texas.

Impact

The proposed committee's research will focus on understanding how convict leasing functioned, including its impacts on both the individuals subjected to it and the broader societal implications. This includes examining the historical support by the State of Texas for such practices and the long-lasting negative effects felt in communities, particularly those of African Americans, who suffered the most under these policies. The findings could provide significant insight into ongoing discussions regarding mass incarceration and the treatment of prisoners in the current system.

Summary

HCR51 is a concurrent resolution aimed at the establishment of a joint interim committee to study the legacy and implications of the convict leasing system in Texas. This historical system came about after the Civil War, allowing states, particularly in the South, to exploit people convicted of crimes as a form of cheap labor under terrible conditions. The resolution highlights the grim findings of archeologists at the former Imperial State Prison Farm in Sugar Land, where an unmarked burial ground was discovered, revealing the remains of 95 victims of this oppressive labor system.

Contention

While HCR51 itself is a request for study and does not change laws directly, it has potential implications for how Texas addresses its historical injustices. The focus on public education around the convict leasing system seeks to confront uncomfortable truths about the state's past. Notably, the discussion may surface debates regarding contemporary policies on incarceration and labor, prompting critical conversations about the legacy of systemic racism and its ongoing impacts on communities today. By aiming to educate the public, this resolution may influence future legislation aimed at rectifying the harms caused by historical injustices.