[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A BILL TO PERMIT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO HONOR ITS CITIZENS WITH 
                        STATUES IN STATUARY HALL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to permit 
statues honoring citizens of the District of Columbia in the same 
manner as statues honoring citizens of the States are placed in 
Statuary Hall in the Capitol. This legislation would amend two acts of 
Congress governing the submission and placement of statues in Statuary 
Hall to allow the District of Columbia to offer two statues to the 
Congress on behalf of D.C. residents. The District of Columbia was born 
with the nation itself after the War for Independence. The city has 
more than two centuries of its very own rich and uniquely American 
history. It goes without saying that the almost 600,000 American 
citizens who live in the nation's capital deserve the honor of having 
two of its history makers represented in the halls of the nation's 
Capitol just as citizens who live in the 50 states have long enjoyed.
  This bill would allow the Mayor and the Council of the District of 
Columbia to devise the method for determining the identity of the 
honorees. Mayor Anthony Williams has already agreed to find funds in 
the District's budget for these statues upon the passage of this 
legislation. While D.C. residents have not yet obtained full political 
equality with the states, they have all the responsibilities of the 
states, including paying all federal taxes and serving in all wars. 
D.C. residents are second per capita in federal income taxes. They have 
served in every war since the Revolutionary War. In World War I, the 
district suffered more casualties than three states, in World War II, 
more casualties than four states, in Korea, more casualties than eight 
states, and in Vietnam, more casualties than in 10 states. These 
responsibilities and sacrifices speak best to some of the important 
reasons for this bill.
  After more than 200 years, this 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. I ask for prompt passage 
of this mark of simple dignity and respect to the residents of the 
District of Columbia.

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