[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 98 (Monday, June 9, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2549-H2551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1730
DESIGNATING THE HOUSE PRESS GALLERY IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL AS THE
``FREDERICK DOUGLASS PRESS GALLERY''
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 137) designating the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-
315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol, as
the ``Frederick Douglass Press Gallery'', as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 137
[Whereas Frederick Douglass was born to an enslaved family
in 1818;
[Whereas Douglass bravely escaped slavery in 1838, and
spent much of his adult life as a journalist in Rochester,
New York;
[Whereas Douglass published his first newspaper, The North
Star, using his own money in the pre-Civil War era;
[[Page H2550]]
[Whereas Douglass was known for fiercely opposing slavery,
championing equal rights and women's rights, and for being a
forceful speaker;
[Whereas, during the Civil War, Douglass was a recruiter
for the first African-American army regiment;
[Whereas Douglass met twice with President Lincoln, first
about the pay and treatment of Black soldiers and then to
discuss the President's desire to assist escaping slaves;
[Whereas after Douglass' Rochester home was destroyed by
fire (which Douglass believed resulted from arson), he moved
his family to Anacostia in Washington, DC;
[Whereas, in 1870, Douglass was asked to become editor of
the New National Era, which chronicled the progress of Blacks
throughout the United States, and he later bought the paper;
[Whereas Douglass was the first Black reporter allowed into
the Capitol press galleries, where journalists watch
lawmakers on the floors of the Senate and the House of
Representatives;
[Whereas Douglass was a member of the congressional press
galleries from 1871-1875;
[Whereas Douglass reported on House and Senate legislation
regularly to update the African-American community during
Reconstruction following the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
to the Constitution;
[Whereas Douglass was recorded frequently in the
congressional directory and spent a significant amount of
time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery;
[Whereas Douglass often visited the Capitol following his
time as a member of the congressional press galleries;
[Whereas Douglass delivered the keynote speech at the
unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington's
Lincoln Park;
[Whereas, in 2007, Douglass was recognized by placing a
plaque and painting of him in his honor in the House Press
Gallery;
[Whereas, in 2012, Congress passed and the President signed
Public Law 112-174, which directed Frederick Douglass' statue
placement in the Capitol Visitor Center's Emancipation Hall;
and
[Whereas Douglass was a pioneer in journalism who broke
through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial
times in American history, exhibited great perseverance to
become an American hero, and became a legend known in the
House Press Gallery: Now, therefore, be it]
Whereas Frederick Douglass was born to an enslaved family
in 1818;
Whereas Douglass bravely escaped slavery in 1838, and spent
much of his adult life as a journalist in Rochester, New
York;
Whereas Douglass published his first newspaper, The North
Star, using his own money in the pre-Civil War era;
Whereas Douglass was known for fiercely opposing slavery,
championing equal rights and women's rights, and for being a
forceful speaker;
Whereas, during the Civil War, Douglass was a recruiter for
the first African-American Army regiment;
Whereas Douglass met twice with President Lincoln, first
about the pay and treatment of Black soldiers and then to
discuss the President's desire to assist escaping slaves;
Whereas after Douglass' Rochester home was destroyed by
fire (which Douglass believed resulted from arson), he moved
his family to Anacostia in Washington, DC;
Whereas, in 1870, Douglass was asked to become editor of
the New National Era, which chronicled the progress of Blacks
throughout the United States, and he later bought the paper;
Whereas Douglass was the first Black reporter allowed into
the Capitol press galleries, where journalists watch
lawmakers on the floors of the Senate and the House of
Representatives;
Whereas Douglass was a member of the congressional press
galleries from 1871-1875;
Whereas Douglass reported on House and Senate legislation
regularly to update the African-American community during
Reconstruction following the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
to the Constitution;
Whereas Douglass was recorded frequently in the
congressional directory and spent a significant amount of
time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery;
Whereas Douglass often visited the Capitol following his
time as a member of the congressional press galleries;
Whereas Douglass delivered the keynote speech at the
unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington's
Lincoln Park;
Whereas, in 2007, Douglass was recognized by placing a
plaque and painting of him in his honor in the House Press
Gallery;
Whereas, in 2012, Congress passed and the President signed
Public Law 112-174, which directed Frederick Douglass' statue
placement in the Capitol Visitor Center's Emancipation Hall;
and
Whereas Douglass was a pioneer in journalism who broke
through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial
times in American history, exhibited great perseverance to
become an American hero, and became a legend known in the
House Press Gallery: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, [That the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-315, H-
316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol, is
designated as the ``Frederick Douglass Press Gallery''].
That the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-
318, and H-319 of the United States Capitol) is designated as
the ``Frederick Douglass Press Gallery''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Graves) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material in the Record on H. Res. 137.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 137 designates the House Press Gallery as the
Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.
Frederick Douglass came to Washington, D.C., in 1870 to become editor
of the New National Era paper, which chronicled the progress of African
Americans in the United States. He became the first African-American
member of the press gallery from 1871 to 1875.
In 2007, he was honored with a plaque and painting in the House Press
Gallery. This resolution today will officially name the House Press
Gallery after him. I thank the gentleman from Florida, Representative
Donalds, for his leadership on this bipartisan resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation and reserve balance of
my time.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 137, as amended, which
designates rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, H-319 in the U.S. Capitol
as the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.
We honor Frederick Douglass for his extraordinary contributions to
this country. Born an enslaved person, he grew to be a prominent
abolitionist, public intellectual, journalist, world-renowned orator,
businessman, and statesman.
Frederick Douglass was a courageous advocate for equal rights who
used his journalistic and oratorical skills to advance civil liberties
for all his life.
It is fitting that we name the House Press Gallery after the first
Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries.
Mr. Speaker, I support passage of the resolution, as amended, and
urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Donalds).
Mr. DONALDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
137 to rename the House Press Gallery the Frederick Douglass Press
Gallery, in honor of a man whose life and work embodied the very best
of American ideals and shattered through glass ceilings.
Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 and courageously
escaped bondage in 1838. He built a life dedicated to truth, liberty,
and justice.
He became a journalist in Rochester, New York, and launched The North
Star using his own money, giving voice to the voiceless in the years
before the Civil War.
He fought fiercely against slavery, championed equal rights and
women's suffrage, and became one of the most forceful orators in
American history. During the Civil War, Douglass recruited Black
soldiers, met with President Lincoln to advocate for equal pay and
treatment, and worked to assist those escaping slavery.
After his Rochester home was destroyed in a suspected arson attack,
he moved to Anacostia here in Washington, D.C., and became the editor,
and later owner, of the New National Era, which chronicled Black
progress throughout the Nation.
Douglass was the first Black reporter admitted to the Capitol press
galleries. From 1871 to 1875, he reported on the House and Senate
action, keeping the African-American community informed during
Reconstruction after the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. He spent
countless hours writing and studying right here in the House Press
Gallery. Even after his tenure in the gallery, he often would return to
the Capitol.
Congress has honored Douglass with a portrait and plaque in the
gallery and a statute in Emancipation Hall. This
[[Page H2551]]
resolution permanently renames these famous offices off of the House
floor for all Americans today, and years to come, to honor his work for
freedom in this hallowed Chamber.
I thank Speaker Johnson, Chairman Graves, Representatives Andre
Carson, Burgess Owens, Stephen Horsford, Wesley Hunt, and John James
for their leadership on this resolution.
I also thank my former staffer, Luke Diel, for all of his hard work
and dedication in this effort. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res.
137.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time, and I am prepared to close.
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I
will take a moment to recognize someone who has made a particular
impact on myself and this body, and that is Transportation and
Infrastructure Republican Staff Director Jack Ruddy, who is leaving the
Hill after 15 years.
Jack started out in my office as an intern. He liked it so much he
decided to come back as an intern four more times. No matter what we
did or how hard we tried, we just could not get rid of him. I am
incredibly thankful that he stuck it out because this entire body has
benefited from his public service and his expertise.
Jack has come a long way from his days as an intern. He went on to
serve as my legislative director in my congressional office. For the
last 6\1/2\ years, he has been with me at the T&I Committee, first as
deputy staff director and, most notably, as staff director, which he
led my entire team since 2022.
It is uncommon in this Chamber that a staff member makes such a
lasting impact, but Jack is a very uncommon staffer. He is a trusted
adviser, not only to me but to many members on the Transportation
Committee on both sides of the aisle.
Over the years, he has played an integral role in shepherding through
Congress numerous major legislative priorities to improve America's
transportation network and build our infrastructure. This includes: the
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and other important aviation safety
legislation; multiple water resources development acts; Coast Guard
authorizations; public buildings and Federal office space reforms; and
pipeline safety reauthorizations, just to name a few of the things that
are out there.
It takes hard work, skill, extensive knowledge, and a deep
understanding of the legislative process to get these things across the
finish line, and Jack has all of those qualities.
It also takes sacrifice, and Jack, his wife, Paige, and their two
boys, Joel and Barrett, know that all too well. I thank Jack and his
entire family for the sacrifices that they have contributed in more
ways than I can describe. Their sacrifices over the last 6\1/2\ years
have contributed to the success of the T&I Committee and the House of
Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, I close by saying that anybody who has ever worked with
Jack knows that these things are very true: He is fair, he is
pragmatic, and he knows how to get the job done. The most important
thing that we know is that Jack is a true friend, and I can say that
from personal experience. We are all going to miss him, and I wish him
the best of luck as he begins his new chapter in life.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume. I will also take this time to recognize Republican Staff
Director of T&I, Jack Ruddy, who is leaving at the end of the week,
after more than 6\1/2\ years of work on the committee and, of course,
an additional 9 years directly with the chair.
During Jack's 3 years as staff director, 2\1/2\ of which I have been
the ranking member of the committee, the T&I Committee has passed
impactful, bipartisan bills that have moved the ball on a number of
issues. From our work on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to the
WRDA Act in 2024, which included the first reauthorization of the
Economic Development Administration in more than 15 years, Jack has
proven to be a trusted partner and effective negotiator.
Just to show you how much work he does do, one of the issues we had
to settle on the FAA Reauthorization Act occurred when I was in my
district on Whidbey Island, while Sam was on Midway Island in the
middle of the Pacific--I don't even know which day it was on Midway at
the time--but Jack helped facilitate the phone call that helped the
chair and me resolve a sticky wicket issue that we had to get done to
get the bill done. I appreciated Jack's help in making that happen.
Even when we disagreed, Jack was never disagreeable, and he worked to
find common ground. We are actually sad to see Jack go. I know Jack
will do well and we wish him great luck in his future endeavors.
Mr. Speaker, I support the resolution and encourage my colleagues to
do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, in closing, naming the House Press Gallery
after Frederick Douglass is going to honor his commitment to the free
press, his legacy, and his work reporting on the official business of
Congress.
I urge support of House Resolution 137, and I yield back the balance
of my time.
Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 137, which was
approved unanimously by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
in April.
It has been a pleasure to work with my Transportation and
Infrastructure colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), to help
advance this bill through our markup and to the floor today. We are
both original cosponsors of this resolution from the gentleman from
Florida, Mr. Donalds.
H. Res. 137 will rename the House Press Gallery for an amazing
American, Frederick Douglass.
Many know Douglass as an abolitionist and orator. Formerly enslaved,
he emancipated himself.
Yet many don't know Douglass as a journalist. He first worked with
William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator.
Then, he founded and published his own newspaper, The North Star. The
title recognized the way so many former slaves found liberation--by
following the North Star to freedom. After the Civil War, Douglass
published other newspapers, like The New National Era, a Black weekly
newspaper. Douglass and his sons covered Congress for this publication.
Frederick Douglass was the very first Black man to report on Congress
and be allowed into the Capitol press gallery, where he was a member
from 1871 to 1875. He covered the critical debates in Congress during
reconstruction, including developments on the 13th, 14th and 15th
Amendments to the Constitution.
There is a plaque and a painting of Douglass in the Press Gallery.
But it's past time for a permanent recognition of his groundbreaking
and legendary work by renaming the House Press Gallery the Frederick
Douglass Press Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting
passage of this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 137, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Resolution
designating the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318,
and H-319 of the United States Capitol) as the `Frederick Douglass
Press Gallery'.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________