[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    REPLACEMENT OF BUST OF ROGER BROOKE TANEY WITH BUST OF THURGOOD 
                                MARSHALL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 5229, 
legislation to:
  remove the bust of Roger Taney from the United States Capitol
  and commission a new statue honoring Justice Thurgood Marshall.
  Let us salute those who have fought for this action in the House:
  Leader Steny Hoyer
  Whip Jim Clyburn
  CBC Chair Joyce Beatty
  Chair Bennie Thompson
  Congresswoman Barbara Lee
  Congressman G. K. Butterfield and our former colleague, Mayor Karen 
Bass.
  Driven by their leadership, this Chamber has proudly and repeatedly 
voted to remove statues of Taney, Confederate officials and other 
advocates of bigotry from the Capitol grounds.
  The House is grateful to the Senate for taking an important step 
forward--voting unanimously to remove this vile tribute to Taney--
author of the horrendous Dred Scott ruling.
  We look forward to swiftly sending this bill to the President's desk, 
and we remain committed to sweeping out other vestiges of hate from the 
halls of Congress.
  This building is a Temple of Democracy. It is a monument to our 
nation's most fundamental ideals.
  It reflects all that we take pride in as a nation--and so too should 
the tributes that grace its halls.
  They should honor those who sought to strengthen our Democracy for 
all--not weaken it in favor of a few.
  They should honor those who fought to expand freedom--not restrict 
its blessings.
  There is no room for celebrating the violent, racist atrocities of 
our past--nor those who championed them.
  That is why, in 2020, I proudly ordered the removal of the portraits 
of four Speakers who traitorously served in the Confederacy.
  It is why the House has voted to remove Confederate statues from the 
Capitol.
  And it is why we have made clear again and again that Roger Taney 
must have no place under this sacred roof.
  Taney's legacy is one of hatred and oppression:
  a mind twisted by bigotry
  and a lifetime spent defending the evils of slavery.
  He is inextricably linked to one of the most horrific chapters of our 
history. And yet, this bigot's likeness still casts a shadow over the 
Old Supreme Court Chamber.
  Who better to replace him than one of the most admired jurists of our 
history: Justice Thurgood Marshall.
  A trailblazing champion of civil rights--a voice for equal justice 
under the law and a force for our Democracy--Justice Marshall sought to 
uphold the best of America.
  Personally, I will be deeply proud to see this Baltimore native take 
his rightful place amid the Capitol's pantheon of great American 
patriots.
  His statue will bring luster to this building, just as his legacy 
continues to bring luster to our nation: guiding America toward the 
future our children deserve--one ruled by understanding, not prejudice.
  Indeed, speaking in Philadelphia's Independence Hall three decades 
ago, Justice Marshall warned:
  ``Democracy cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid 
hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage.''
  Today, the Congress honors those words. With this vote, we toss into 
the dustbin of history a monument to fear--to hate--to rage.
  With this vote, we renew our resolve to ensure that:
  Democracy will flourish
  liberty will bloom
  and justice will take root, from sea to shining sea.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a resounding, bipartisan `aye' vote to finally 
send this bill to the President for signature.

                          ____________________