Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. its Rightful, Equal Place in Statuary Hall (5/24/07)

Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. its Rightful, Equal Place in Statuary Hall
May 24, 2007

Washington, DC- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to permit the District of Columbia to offer two statues honoring D.C. historic figures to be placed in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol, just as statues honoring citizens of states are displayed in the historic hall. She will request and expects a hearing after the Memorial Day recess. Spurred by the Norton bill, the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities began the process of creating the two statues by seeking suggestions from residents for which prominent D.C. luminaries to honor, and subsequently chose Frederick Douglass, the great abolitionist, public official, and journalist; and Pierre L'Enfant, the architect who designed the city. Both men made the District their homes in the 1800s, and monuments and structures currently bear their names across the city because of their unique contributions. Their statues are scheduled for completion later this year and the District plans to place them in the John A. Wilson Building, D.C.'s city hall, until the passage of Norton's bill and the green light for them to be moved to Statuary Hall. Norton said that her bill offers District residents the opportunity to enjoy the same pride that all other citizens experience when they come to their Capitol-the opportunity to view memorials that commemorate the efforts of deceased local residents who have made significant contributions to American history.

"Every time we allow the District to be excluded from its place among the 50 states, we undermine the nation's efforts to spread full democracy around the world," Norton said. "While D.C. residents have not yet obtained the same political equality and voting rights as the citizens of the states, they have all the responsibilities of the states, including paying all federal taxes and serving in all wars. Today when our residents are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, the least we should do is to give this city its rightful and equal place in the Capitol."

The statue bill is the sixth in Norton's "Free and Equal D.C. Series" of bills introduced this year to eliminate anti-Home Rule or redundant measures that deprive the city of equal treatment and recognition as an independent self-governing jurisdiction. Other bills include budget autonomy, legislative autonomy and a locally elected district attorney.