<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0073511935/535059/Slave_Museum_p1.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (16.0K)</a> The Library of Congress Below Deck on a Slave Ship

The office of State Sen. Joseph Margeretta of Freeport has issued this press release: Today I introduced a bill in the state legislature to establish a nonprofit entity, The State Slave Museum and Burial Ground. I have asked for an initial appropriation of $250,000 for planning and for the purchase of property for the entity. The museum and burial ground will be located in Freeport, preferably in the area where an old African Burial Ground was recently discovered. Freeport is the logical place since plans for such a project have been underway for some time. Almost $500,000 has been raised toward the goal of raising $1 million locally.

The sponsors of the museum hope to enlarge the concept to include construction of a slave ship that would illustrate the beginning of the African presence in America. The ship would be located in Freeport harbor. Total cost will be $5 million. I have been assured of bipartisan support for this bill, and by next year I believe we will be well on the way to breaking ground for the museum with its slave ship and burial ground.

Write 300 words and include background about the African presence in America.

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