July 7, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7721 Second, given the significant contributions toric presidential elections in United States Capitol, they must be aware of the contribu- of enslaved African Americans in the building history. By no means is this resolution erasing tions of these laborers. of the U.S. Capitol, a marker in Emancipation or justifying slavery. Instead it shows America I would like to thank Representative JOHN Hall is an appropriate tribute to such efforts. and the world the positive progression that our LEWIS for introducing this resolution and ac- The marker was recommended by the Slave nation is making in its journey to ensure that knowledging this frequently overlooked part of Labor Task Force Working Group, which also all people be treated equally. I urge my col- our Capitol’s story. The contributions made by recommended designating the great hall of the leagues to support this resolution. these workers are a part of our history and our Capitol Visitor Center as Emancipation Hall. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as legacy, and this recognition will help future This marker, which is to include stone quar- a co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 135, I rise in generations better understand the sacrifices of ried by these slaves, will ensure that this part strong support of this resolution directing the those who came before them. of the story of the Capitol’s construction is Architect of the Capitol to place a marker in Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- told. Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center er, I yield back the balance of my time. When visitors stand in Emancipation Hall which acknowledges the role that slave labor The SPEAKER pro tempore. The and view the commemorative marker, they will played in the construction of the United States question is on the motion offered by be reminded of the significant role that slaves Capitol. the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. JOHN- played in the construction of the U.S. Capitol, African Americans throughout the world con- SON) that the House suspend the rules thereby ensuring that the legacy of these tinue to make remarkable contributions to their and agree to the concurrent resolution, slaves will live on. communities every single day. We must not H. Con. Res. 135. Finally, by acknowledging that enslaved Afri- disregard the hands that worked and the feet The question was taken. can Americans played a major role in building that toiled to build our Nation’s Capitol. We The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the the Nation’s Capitol, we recommit ourselves to must honor the contributions of the slaves who opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being the pursuit of freedom and democracy for all helped build this magnificent structure. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Americans. Mr. Speaker, when we look to the hands Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- We recognize that, even today, there are that shape and built this city, particularly this er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. some who have yet to realize all of the rights Capitol, we should no longer hang our heads The yeas and nays were ordered. and privileges that are afforded through our in shame of slavery, but instead celebrate the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Constitution and laws. Prejudice, discrimina- people who are so often forgotten. We should ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the tion, and inequities remain a reality. appreciate and acknowledge the thousands of Chair’s prior announcement, further However, by paying tribute to those unnamed men and women who built this proceedings on this motion will be enslaved African Americans who built our Na- structure representing democracy, liberty, and postponed. tion’s Capitol, we understand that freedom and freedom. Just last month, my colleagues in the f democracy are constantly evolving. Senate approved a resolution that apologized PROVIDING FOR ENGRAVEMENTS We recognize that we can commit ourselves for the enslavement and racial segregation of IN CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER to the advancement of these principles, know- African Americans. As the legislative branch, ing that those who toiled and labored in the we have officially acknowledged the institution Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I very building that we stand in today, could not that barred hundreds of thousands from free- move to suspend the rules and agree to enjoy freedom and democracy for themselves. dom, and with this resolution, we can begin to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate those slaves that physically helped 131) directing the Architect of the Cap- rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. to create this country. itol to engrave the Pledge of Alle- 135, the resolution directing the Architect of The Capitol Visitor Center sees almost 3 giance to the Flag and the National the Capitol to place a marker in Emancipation million visitors annually. As they walk the halls Motto of ‘‘In God We Trust’’ in the Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center which ac- and admire the architecture and statues, mar- Capitol Visitor Center. knowledges the role that slave labor played in veling at the rich history and stories that ac- The Clerk read the title of the con- the construction of the United States Capitol, company them throughout the building, it is current resolution. and for other purposes. I would like to thank our responsibility to ensure that all slaves who The text of the concurrent resolution my colleague and fellow Georgian, Represent- helped build the Capitol have their stories told. is as follows: ative JOHN LEWIS for introducing this important In the Capitol Visitor Center, Emancipation H. CON. RES. 131 piece of legislation, as well as the co-spon- Hall was named to help acknowledge the work Resolved by the House of Representatives (the sors. of the slaves who toiled over the work of the Senate concurring), I stand in support of this resolution because Capitol and we must ensure that their stories SECTION 1. ENGRAVING OF PLEDGE OF ALLE- it recognizes the important contributions that GIANCE TO THE FLAG AND NA- are told for generations to come. TIONAL MOTTO IN CAPITOL VISITOR African-American slaves have made to the es- Mr. Speaker, I express my unwavering sup- CENTER. tablishment of this country, particularly the port for this resolution and urge my colleagues (a) ENGRAVING REQUIRED.—The Architect Capitol Building, which is the foundation of our to do the same. of the Capitol shall engrave the Pledge of Al- country’s government. It is in this very building Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. legiance to the Flag and the National Motto where the biggest decisions of our country are Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House of ‘‘In God we trust’’ in the Capitol Visitor made. Therefore, we can all imagine how im- Concurrent Resolution 135, recognizing the Center, in accordance with the engraving portant this structure really is to the wellbeing contributions of enslaved African Americans in plan described in subsection (b). (b) ENGRAVING PLAN.—The engraving plan of our nation. building the United States Capitol. described in this subsection is a plan setting It has almost been 150 years since the Thir- This resolution will commission the Architect forth the design and location of the engrav- teenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution of the Capitol to create and place a historical ing required under subsection (a) which is was ratified, which officially abolished slavery marker in the Capitol Visitor Center made from prepared by the Architect of the Capitol and was passed within these same walls. It is in the original government owned sandstone approved by the Committee on House Admin- due time that slaves be recognized for the rocks that were quarried by slave labor, and istration of the House of Representatives and back breaking labor that they endured while removed from the Capitol building during a the Committee on Rules and Administration building this great building that we now stand previous renovation. of the Senate. in. If it was not for the crucial intervention of Slavery played an important role in the foun- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Philip Reid, an African-American slave foundry dation of this country, and slave labor was ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from worker, the Statue of Freedom that sits on top used extensively in the creation of many of the the Virgin Islands (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN) of the Capitol Dome may not have existed. buildings that are home to our government. and the gentleman from Mississippi Reid figured out how to separate the 5-piece While we cannot rectify the sins of the past, (Mr. HARPER) each will control 20 min- plaster model for casting when all others work- nor thank slave laborers for their sacrifice, the utes. ers failed to figure out how this could be done. contributions of these men and women should The Chair recognizes the gentle- The true purpose of this resolution is to not go unnoticed. woman from the Virgin Islands. draw recognition to the past, so that we can It is important this plaque be prominently GENERAL LEAVE move on to a better future of race relations in displayed for the thousands of visitors that Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I America. There is no better time than now, come into the CVC. In order for these visitors ask unanimous consent that all Mem- than on the coat tails of one of the most his- to know the complete history of our Nation’s bers may have 5 legislative days in VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:33 Jul 08, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JY7.015 H07JYPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with HOUSE H7722 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 7, 2009 which to revise and extend their re- Banner, he included in the final stanza: The Honorable JERRY MORAN of Kan- marks and include extraneous matter Praise the Power that hath made and sas; on the resolution under consideration.