[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 92 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1495-E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      DIRECTING THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL TO PLACE A MARKER IN 
EMANCIPATION HALL IN THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES THE 
 ROLE THAT SLAVE LABOR PLAYED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES 
                                CAPITOL

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                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 2009

  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 135, directing the Architect of the Capitol to place a 
marker in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center which 
acknowledges the role that slave labor played in the construction of 
the United States Capitol. I commend my colleague, and fellow 
Congressional Black Caucus member John Lewis, for acknowledging the 
importance of this measure and presenting it before the House.
  I feel strongly that the history of the African-American struggle 
must be taught and celebrated, even as we plan for our future. African-
Americans performed the backbreaking work of quarrying the marble which 
surrounds us. Until recently, the history books failed to recognize 
that slaves provided many of the laborious construction tasks, such as 
masonry, carting, roofing, plastering, glazing, and sawing--which 
involved slaves stationed in pits from where, with a partner above 
ground, they would use a whipsaw to cut logs rolled over the pit. Labor 
wasn't solely for the adult males--slave women and children were used 
to mold clay in kilns.
  In an article from the Associated Press, Sarah Jean Davidson, founder 
of the Association for the Preservation of North Little Rock, Arkansas 
African American History mentioned an important connection that this 
new marker affords. ``We can say our ancestors helped build the Capitol 
so when we look at it, it's not `your building, the majority', it's our 
building . . . It will be a connection not just for African-Americans, 
but for immigrants who come from all around the country. . . . Once 
they start feeling connected, then we are one,'' she said. In addition, 
the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center was named Emancipation 
Hall specifically to acknowledge the work of the slave laborers who 
built the Capitol and this marker provides a source for interested 
parties to learn about our history.
  Madam Speaker, this measure is particularly important as it 
commemorates an under-appreciated aspect of America's history and I'm 
pleased to add my voice in support for this resolution. I will work 
diligently with my colleagues to ensure that this marker is created and 
maintains the ability to educate those who come in contact with it. 
This is a significant step in raising the profile and awareness of how 
African-American history is intertwined with the federal legislative 
body and I hope that this measure passes unanimously.

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