[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING CONSTANTINO BRUMIDI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
artist whose love of liberty inspired him to adorn the United States 
Capitol with beautiful frescoes. That man, of course, is Constantino 
Brumidi.
  Brumidi's work adorns one House committee room and five Senate 
committee rooms in the Capitol. His work also decorates the Senate 
Reception room, the Office of the Vice President and most notably, the 
President's room which for many represents Brumidi's supreme effort.
  Constantino Brumidi emigrated to the United States in 1849 and took 
up residence in New York City where he plied his trade as a portrait 
painter. That was soon followed by more important commissions in St. 
Stephen's Church. Those works include a fresco of the Crucifixion as 
well as works depicting the Martyrdom of St. Stephen and the Assumption 
of St. Mary. But it was on a return trip from Mexico that Brumidi 
stopped in Washington, DC and toured the Capitol building. He found in 
it a canvass that inspired him for the remainder of his life. Brumidi 
suggested to Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs that the walls 
of the Capitol be decorated and Meigs agreed giving Brumidi the 
commission as well as making him a captain in the cavalry.
  Brumidi's first work was in the meeting room of the House Agriculture 
Committee. He received $8 a day, but was soon given a raise to $10 a 
day by then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis since his work was 
receiving such favorable mention. Along with the raise came further 
commissions in the Capitol which include the Apotheosis of George 
Washington in the dome as well as other allegories and scenes from 
American history.
  Brumidi died in 1880 but we have the benefit of seeing his work 
everyday we are here. And Americans who travel to our Nation's Capitol 
can also enjoy Brumidi's work, yet few know him or his story. That's 
why I believe all members should support two important bills pending 
before the House that will honor Constantino Brumidi and his work here 
in the Capitol. The first is H.R. 1609 introduced by Representative 
Bill Pascrell. H.R. 1609 would posthumously award a Congressional Gold 
Medal to Constantino Brumidi and authorize the striking of duplicate 
medals for sale to the public. The second is H.R. 1313, introduced by 
Representative Gus Bilirakis to direct the Joint Committee on the 
Library to obtain a statue of Constantino Brumidi for display in the 
Capitol Visitors Center. Both of these bills will honor the memory of a 
great artist and so I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting 
them both.

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