[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 104 (Monday, July 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1744-E1745]
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. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I speak in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 135, and thank my colleague Congressman John 
Lewis, for authoring this important resolution which designates a 
marker in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center to 
acknowledge the role that slave labor played in the construction of the 
United States Capitol. We have already taken the first step in 
recognizing the slave labor that was used to construct this great 
Capitol building, by naming the hall Emancipation Hall. Now, we must 
complete our promise by educating visitors to the Capitol about the 
enslaved African-Americans who worked tirelessly to build the Capitol.
  According to records, local farmers rented out their slaves for an 
average of $55 a year to help build the Capitol. While this may not 
seem like a lot of money today, the physical, mental and emotional cost 
this backbreaking work had on the slaves cannot be overlooked. Slaves 
cut trees on the hill where the Capitol would stand, cleared stumps 
from the new streets, worked in the stone quarries where sandstone was 
cut and assisted the masons laying stone for the walls of the new homes 
of Congress and the president.
  It is estimated that over 400 slaves were used to perform the 
backbreaking work of quarrying the stone which comprised many of the 
floors, walls, and columns of the Capitol. Enslaved African-Americans 
also participated in other facets of construction of the Capitol, 
including carpentry, masonry, carting, rafting, roofing, plastering, 
glazing, painting, and sawing.
  We have already taken steps to acknowledge the role slaves played in 
building the Capitol; now we must place a marker in Emancipation Hall 
so that all visitors to the Capitol Visitor's Center are aware of 
struggles and contributions of our ancestors to helping establish one 
of the most fundamental institutions of our great country.
  Approximately 4 million Africans and their descendants were enslaved 
in the United States and the colonies that became the United States 
between 1619 and 1865. I know that many would think it a non-issue to 
address the events of over 135 years ago, but the scars from over 400 
years of slavery in this nation still ache for a balm that is 
sufficient to the injury to the minds of this nation's people. After 
slavery there were still many difficult journeys for former slaves to 
overcome. Placing this marker in the Capitol allows us to give a voice 
to those slaves who were never heard and to tell their story.
  I thank Congressman Lewis from Georgia for your leadership in 
sponsoring this important legislation. I know that you are a firm 
believer in our nation and that we as a nation should recognize and 
take great pride in the contribution of all Americans to the creation 
of this great nation.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.
    

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