A resolution honoring the life of William Wilberforce, who was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in Britain, will be considered in the U.S. Senate.
"Wilberforce's passion and commitment to end the British slave trade and renew the culture solidified the inherency of human dignity and sanctity of human life," said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a co-sponsor of the resolution. "As the 200th anniversary of British slave-trade abolition approaches, we should celebrate Wilberforce's victories and use his legacy as an inspiration to renew our culture."
Wilberforce spent 20 years the British House of Commons fighting slavery. On Feb. 23, 1807, Parliament banned the slave trade.
"William Wilberforce's unmatched determination to end the British slave-trade practice continues to inspire leaders and communities throughout the world," said Sen. Mark Pryor, R-Ark., also a co-sponsor. "However, we cannot turn a blind eye to how the slave trade has evolved into trafficking of women and children."
The U.S. State Department estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people were trafficked internationally in 2006, Brownback noted.
"We must continue to follow Wilberforce's example and fight for the dignity and freedom of every person," he said. "It is intolerable that 200 years after Britain banned its slave trade, there are still hundreds of thousands of victims of human trafficking who are used as bonded laborers, sex slaves, and in other horrifying capacities."
The story of William Wilberforce is told in the motion picture Amazing Grace, which opens in theaters Friday. The film, produced by Walden Media and The Samuel Goldwyn Company, focuses on the lives of Wilberforce and slave-ship-captain-turned-pastor John Newton, who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To learn more about the movie, visit the Amazing Grace Web site.
The stories can also be heard in a Focus on the Family Radio Theater production also entitled Amazing Grace.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)
