Historic Eugenics Compensation Legislation Moving Through the North Carolina General Assembly | Eastern NC Now

   NC House Rep. Bill Cook:   "I am supporting this legislation. I believe it is the right thing to do. Given that North Carolina was involuntarily sterilizing folks as late as 1974, when other states had quit this program.

   Only a year before the birth of my first child, we were still stealing the birthing rights of fellow human beings. But for the grace of God there go I. This is not a racial issue: there were both black and white folks subjected to this barbarian procedure. In fact I believe there were more white folks than black. Many of the victims have passed away but at least we can offer some compensation. Although, we could never truly compensate these victims, I believe history will at least understand that we are serious in our repudiation of this type of behavior."

For Immediate Release:

Office of the Speaker

   Rep. Thom Tillis
     Speaker of the House

   Contact: Jordan Shaw
     Communications Director
       (919) 999-7907

   Raleigh     Rep. Earline Parmon (D-Forsyth), House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg), Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam (R-Wake) and Sen. Floyd McKissick (D-Durham) joined together today to discuss the progress of House Bill 947, which provides compensation to the living individuals who were forcibly sterilized by the North Carolina Eugenics Board.

   “North Carolina is on the doorstep of history,” Tillis said. “Our state is poised to lead the nation in providing a small measure of justice to the victims of this horrific program. I am confident this long-overdue bill will continue to gain broad bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. By supporting this legislation, we are on the right side of history.”

   From 1929 to 1974, more than 7,000 forced sterilizations were performed in North Carolina. The state-sponsored Eugenics Board, which was responsible for ordering sterilizations sanctioned by the government, was not abolished until 1977.

   “It is important to understand the historical significance of the efforts behind this legislation,” said Rep. Stam. “For decades, involuntary sterilizations were ordered by our government. The actions of the Eugenics Board are a sad chapter in our state’s narrative. But, we are finally at the precipice of first-in-the-nation legislative action to provide support to the victims.”

   The bill itself would provide $50,000 to individuals who were sterilized under the N.C. Eugenics Board. The Industrial Commission will be tasked with verifying claims and determining eligibility to receive the funds. House Bill 947 also funds the Office of Justice for Sterilization victims, which will help claimants collect and prepare documentation related to their request for compensation.

   “House Bill 947 is structured in a way that will help potential victims reach out to those responsible for handling claims for compensation,” said Rep. Parmon. “We wanted to ensure that all victims had access to necessary resources for the claiming process. This bill is about much more than compensating victims. It is about ensuring that a support program exists to provide outreach to victims, and this bill accomplishes that.”

   The legislation passed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, and now moves to the House committees on Finance and Appropriations. The final stop will be the House floor, where it is expected to pass. The process will then begin in the Senate, where Sen. Floyd McKissick leads the effort.

   “I am honored that such a uniquely important piece of legislation is being sponsored and supported by such a uniquely bipartisan group of lawmakers,” McKissick said. “This issue transcends party affiliation, and I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate on both sides of the aisle will stand with me to support this bill.”

   House Bill 947 comes more than a decade after the first similar efforts were made by Rep. Larry Womble (D-Forsyth). “If it weren’t for the leadership of Rep. Womble on this issue, none of this would be possible,” Tillis said. “His determination and the tireless efforts of Reps. Parmon and Stam, Sen. McKissick, and countless others throughout the state have resulted in a remarkable success.”