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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
20-90
In the Council of the District of Columbia
July 10, 2013
To recognize the exceptional display of collaborative leadership, appreciation, and respect for the rich history of the District of Columbia by the United States Congress in dedicating the statue of Frederick Douglass in Emancipation Hall of the United State Capitol Building.
WHEREAS, a bronze statue of Frederick Douglass, the distinguished abolitionist, equal rights advocate, and historic figure of the District of Columbia, was dedicated by the United States Congress and placed in Emancipation Hall on June 19, 2013;
WHEREAS, the dedication of the statue of Frederick Douglass embodies the District of Columbia’s history and progress, and the pride in the notable contributions made by Frederick Douglass, who the District of Columbia proudly claims as its own;
WHEREAS, Frederick Douglass left behind a remarkable legacy that included fighting against the evils of slavery, advocating for the rights of women, and speaking in favor of full voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Frederick Douglass famously posed the question we still are working towards answering: “…What have the people of the District done that they should be excluded from the privileges of the ballot box?”;
WHEREAS, the subject of the statue was chosen by the citizens of the District of Columbia through a voting process;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia greatly appreciates and honors Councilmember Jack Evans, who secured the funding to construct the statue of Frederick Douglass;
WHEREAS, the statue of Frederick Douglass was commissioned by the Washington, D.C., Commission for the Arts and Humanities and the commission was awarded to renown sculptor Steven Weitzman in 2006;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia is very grateful for the hard work and dedication of Delegate Eleanor Norton Holmes, who successfully guided the legislation authorizing the statue of Frederick Douglass through both chambers of the United States Congress;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia would like to thank the United States Congress for the passage and President Barack Obama for the signing of Public Law No. 112-174, directing that a statue of Frederick Douglass be placed in Emancipation Hall;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia thanks Senators Tom Carper, Barbara Boxer, Richard Durbin, and Patty Murray for their leadership in recognizing the contribution of the citizens of District of Columbia through the introduction of Senate Bill 132, the “New Columbia Admission Act,” the D.C. Statehood bill;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia greatly appreciates the leadership of Senator Tom Carper, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, for pledging to hold hearings on the D.C. Statehood bill this fall;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia would also like to show gratitude and appreciation to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for continuously supporting the effort to grant statehood to the District and for taking the extraordinary step of “signing on” to the D.C. Statehood bill as a co-sponsor;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia would also like to recognize House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer for their unwavering support for Public Law No. 112-174 authorizing the statue of Frederick Douglass and their long-standing commitment to statehood for the District of Columbia; and
WHEREAS, it is the hope that the historic dedication of the statue of Frederick Douglass will soon usher in a new day where the residents of the District of Columbia will be granted full voting rights and statehood at the earliest date.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Frederick Douglass U.S. Capitol Statue Recognition Resolution of 2013”.
Sec. 2. The District of Columbia is grateful for the progress that has been made toward fulfilling the vision of full voting rights and statehood for the citizens of the District.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
