HJR20 Summary

• Formally exonerates nine African American men—Charlie Weems, Ozie Powell, Clarence Norris, Olen Montgomery, Willie Roberson, Haywood Patterson, Andy Wright, Roy Wright, and Eugene Williams—known as the "Scottsboro Boys" who were arrested on March 25, 1931, for allegedly raping two white women.

• Acknowledges that eight of the nine defendants (all except 12-year-old Roy Wright) were convicted of rape and sentenced to death, with sentences ranging from 75 years to death after multiple retrials.

• Recognizes that one of the alleged victims admitted to fabricating the rape story and that the defendants were victims of a gross injustice despite multiple convictions.

• Requests that appropriate state officials provide copies of this resolution to the families of the Scottsboro Boys.

• Adopted by the House on February 14, 2013, and by the Senate on April 16, 2013.