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HB 77

Commission to Study African American Civil War Sailors in Maryland

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Bouchat and 2 co-sponsors

HB 77 would establish a Maryland commission to research and document African American sailors' Civil War service, but was withdrawn by sponsors in February 2025.

Withdrawn by Sponsor
0
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Bill Summary · HB 77

Legislative bill overview

HB 77 would have established a commission to study the historical contributions and experiences of African American sailors who served in the Civil War from Maryland. The commission would have been tasked with researching, documenting, and potentially memorializing this understudied aspect of Maryland's Civil War history.

Why is this important

African American naval service during the Civil War remains a significantly underrepresented chapter in American historical education and public memory. A formal commission could have filled gaps in historical documentation, supported educational initiatives, and informed potential memorial or commemorative efforts that recognize this contribution to the war effort and the nation's history.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Critics might question whether funding a historical commission represents an effective use of state resources compared to other priorities
  • Scope and methodology: Questions about how the commission would define its geographic and temporal boundaries, and whether its findings would lead to substantive policy changes or remain primarily educational
  • Competing historical narratives: Disagreement over the framing of Civil War history and which historical accounts deserve official state study and resources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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