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Norton Calls for Preservation and Display of Artifacts from U.S. Capitol Attack

February 11, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter urging the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Architect of the Capitol to find ways to preserve and display artifacts from the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Norton said she thinks these officials will understand the importance of preserving and displaying artifacts from the attack because of their historical significance, but she wrote to them to confirm they will do so. If necessary, Norton will introduce a bill directing them to do so.

"Preserving and displaying artifacts from the insurrection would be a powerful way to anchor this tragedy in our history and to ensure that we, and future generations, remember and reflect on a day when our democracy was attacked," Norton said. "Articles, photographs, and videos do much to capture what happened that day, but artifacts from the attack may have a deeper power despite their silence. We must do everything in our power to ensure this story is told today and forever."

Norton is not alone in her support for preservation. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) recently stated, "Architecturally and historically I think it would be a good thing to preserve some evidence of the destruction of the building."

The text of the letter follows:

February 11, 2021

The Honorable Cheryl L. Johnson

Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Capitol, Room H154

Washington, DC 20515

J. Brett Blanton

Architect of the Capitol

U.S. Capitol, Room SB-16

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Clerk and Mr. Blanton:

I urge you to find ways to preserve and display artifacts from the insurrectionist attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Although reasonable repairs must be made to ensure a safe and smooth return to legislative business, we cannot allow what transpired that day to be forgotten. Memorializing the damage caused by the insurrectionists in perpetuity would remind all who enter the hallowed halls of the Capitol how precious democracy is and how close we came to losing it on January 6.

Within hours of the insurrection, conspiracy theorists and political opportunists began spinning tales undermining the seriousness of the attack and trying to minimize the very real danger faced by members of Congress, staff, employees, law enforcement and others that day. We are living in an era of incredible political polarization and witnessing the fracturing of our shared American reality. Preserving artifacts from the insurrection would be a powerful way to anchor this tragedy in our history and to ensure that we, and future generations, remember and reflect on a day when our democracy teetered on the edge.

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, there was a shared sense that we must capture the stories not only of those who we lost but also those who survived. Nearly 20 years later, we have memorials and museums that ensure we do not forget those we lost and the lessons we learned. That same value of preservation applies to the events of January 6. Articles, photographs and videos do much to capture what happened that day, but artifacts from the attack may have a deeper power despite their silence.

We must do everything in our power to ensure this story is told today and forever. I request a written response to this letter by February 26, 2021.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

The Honorable Zoe Lofgren

The Honorable Peter DeFazio