Recognizing the 158th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

House Resolution 1121 is a commemorative measure that formally recognizes the 158th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the nation’s first federal law to affirm that all citizens are equally protected under the law. The resolution honors the historical significance of the Act in establishing fundamental rights—such as the right to make contracts, sue, and own property—regardless of race or previous condition of servitude. While this resolution does not create new laws or change existing programs, it serves as an official congressional acknowledgement of the legal foundations of American citizenship and the ongoing effort to ensure equal justice for all residents.