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Norton Introduces Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’ Birth

June 26, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act, with Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) as an original cosponsor, to establish a commission to study ways that the federal government might honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country's greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.

"Frederick Douglass' far-reaching contributions to our country merit a celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth," Norton said. "Frederick Douglass was a D.C. resident for most of his adult life, and his home in Southeast Washington is a National Park Service historic site, which receives thousands of visitors annually from across the nation and the world. Given Frederick Douglass' shared roots with the state of Maryland, where he was born as a slave, I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with Representative Harris. Although we do not see eye to eye when it comes to Congress and the District, it is critical that Members of Congress find areas of agreement and work together where we can. I look forward to working with Representative Harris to get this legislation passed this year to prepare for next year's bicentennial."

In 2013, Norton got her bill passed to bring a statue of Frederick Douglass representing the District into the Capitol Building. Douglass' statue is a featured destination on Capitol Hill tours that Norton leads for D.C. students and other organizations.

Below is Norton's full introductory statement.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act

Ms. Norton. Mr. Speaker.

I rise to introduce a bill, along with Representative Andy Harris of Maryland, that would establish a bicentennial commission to study ways that the federal government might honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He learned basic reading skills from his mistress and continued to teach himself and other slaves to read and write despite the risks he faced, including death. After two attempts, Douglass successfully escaped to New York and became an abolitionist and anti-slavery lecturer. He went on to serve in several administrations, including as a close advisor to President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Marshal of the District of Columbia under President Rutherford B. Hayes, and District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds under President James Garfield. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Frederick Douglass to be the U.S. minister to Haiti. He was later appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as secretary of the commission of Santo Domingo.

Douglass dedicated his life to achieving justice for all Americans. He lived in the District of Columbia for 23 of his 57 years as a free man and his home at Cedar Hill was established as a National Historic Site in Southeast Washington, D.C. The Frederick Douglass statue that stands in his honor in the United States Capitol is a gift from the nearly 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia.

My bill would establish a commission to examine ways the federal government can honor Douglass during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, including the issuance of a Frederick Douglass bicentennial postage stamp, the convening of a joint meeting or joint session of Congress for ceremonies and activities relating to Frederick Douglass, a rededication of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the acquisition and preservation of artifacts associated with Frederick Douglass. The commission would report its findings and recommendations to Congress.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.