[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1663-E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR DESIGN OF SLAVE LABOR MARKER IN CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Con. Res. 135, a resolution which pays tribute to the contributions of 
African American slave laborers in the building of the United States 
Capitol.
  We owe a great debt to the enslaved African Americans who played an 
instrumental role in the construction of the United States Capitol. 
Their labor was responsible for erecting this massive building, a place 
where the hopes and dreams of this nation are represented, voiced, and 
debated each and every day.
  Thank you to my colleague, Congressman John Lewis, for introducing 
this resolution which directs the Architect of the Capitol to place a 
historical marker in the Capitol Visitors Center to acknowledge the 
toils of slaves who helped construct the U.S. Capitol.
  The history of this country and her most enduring symbol of 
democracy, the United

[[Page E1664]]

States Capitol, cannot be told without fully and accurately reflecting 
the contributions of enslaved African-Americans. According to the 
History of Slave Laborers in the Construction of the United States 
Capitol report, there is documentation that slave labor was employed 
from 1795 to 1801 for the construction of this building. African 
American slaves participated in almost every aspect of construction of 
the U.S. Capitol, completing such tasks as removing tress, quarrying 
stone, painting, and roofing. Evidence of their work can be seen in the 
columns of Statuary Hall and the Old Senate Chamber. Their story is a 
story that must be told for it is our collective story, the great 
American story.
  After nearly 200 years, it is time for America to acknowledge these 
individuals who contributed to one of our nation's symbols of freedom 
while never having the opportunity to experience it themselves. 
Constructing a historical marker that includes the original stone used 
to build the Capitol is an outstanding tribute to African American 
slaves that will teach all who visit the Capitol of our nation's past 
as well as her future.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and recognizing the work 
of enslaved African Americans in the building of the U.S. Capitol by 
voting in support of this important resolution.

                          ____________________