Norton and Calvert Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Authorize Memorial to Fair Housing in the United States

Norton and Calvert Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Authorize Memorial to Fair Housing in the United States

October 26, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) today introduced a bill that would authorize a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to commemorate the national significance of fair housing and the movement to achieve it in America. The memorial would be paid for and constructed by a foundation established by the National Association of Realtors. "The movement to end housing discrimination is intertwined with our nation's history," said Norton, "and the federal government has been both part of the problem and of the solution. The memorial speaks to the progress we have made in fair housing, but also reminds us of the distance we still have to travel. It is particularly gratifying that the idea for this memorial came from the Fair Housing Commemorative Foundation, a foundation of the industry that is subject to the laws achieved by the fair housing movement."

The bipartisan bill authorizes the Fair Housing Commemorative Foundation to raise funds to build the memorial in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act. No federal funds could be used for the memorial.