Senator Lieberman Agrees to Introduce D.C. Statue Bill (7/21/2010)

Senator Lieberman Agrees to Introduce D.C. Statue Bill

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) today announced that Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has agreed to introduce a Senate companion to her bill, H.R. 5493, to allow the District to place two statues in the U.S. Capitol.

Norton said, "I am grateful to Senator Lieberman, who has consistently sponsored each and every full equality bill for the city. I immediately thought that Senator Lieberman would be an excellent sponsor because of his long history in the Senate of sponsoring bills to recognize our rights and to afford the city full equality. Joe has been my friend since law school and a friend of District residents since he came to Congress." Under Senator Lieberman's leadership, the Senate passed the D.C. House Voting Rights Act in 2009.

Last week, the Committee on House Administration passed Norton's statue bill. If the bill is approved by both houses, the D.C. statues placed in the Capitol would likely be of Frederick Douglass and Pierre L'Enfant. Four years ago, D.C. chose and created statues of these two men, known for their contributions to the city as well as the nation. In 2008, the statues were placed at One Judiciary Square, a District government building, pending passage of this bill.