[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 2016

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the birthday of Frederick 
Douglass, I introduce a bill that would establish a bicentennial 
commission to study ways that the federal government might honor and 
celebrate the life of Douglass during the bicentennial anniversary of 
his birth, in 2018.
  Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 on the Eastern Shore 
of Maryland. He learned basic reading skills from his mistress and 
continued to teach himself and other slaves to read and write despite 
the risks he faced, including death. After two attempts, Douglass 
successfully escaped to New York and became an abolitionist and anti-
slavery lecturer. He went on to serve in several administrations, 
including as a close advisor to President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Marshal 
of the District of Columbia under President Rutherford B. Hayes, and 
District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds under President James Garfield. 
In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Frederick Douglass to be 
the U.S. minister to Haiti. He was later appointed by President Ulysses 
S. Grant to serve as secretary of the commission of Santo Domingo.
  Douglass dedicated his life to achieving justice for all Americans. 
He lived in the District of Columbia for 23 of his 57 years as a free 
man and was deeply committed to obtaining equal congressional voting 
and self-government rights for District residents. His home at Cedar 
Hill was established as a National Historic Site in Southeast 
Washington, D.C., and his statue in the United States Capitol is a gift 
from the 650,000 American citizens of the District of Columbia.
  My bill would establish a commission to examine ways the federal 
government can honor Douglass during the bicentennial anniversary of 
his birth, including the issuance of a Frederick Douglass bicentennial 
postage stamp, the convening of a joint meeting or joint session of 
Congress for ceremonies and activities relating to Frederick Douglass, 
a rededication of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and 
the acquisition and preservation of artifacts associated with Frederick 
Douglass. The Commission would report its findings and recommendations 
to Congress.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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