Norton Introduces Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass' Birth

Statement

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act, with Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) as an original cosponsor, to establish a commission to study ways that the federal government might honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country's greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.

"Frederick Douglass' far-reaching contributions to our country merit a celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth," Norton said. "Frederick Douglass was a D.C. resident for most of his adult life, and his home in Southeast Washington is a National Park Service historic site, which receives thousands of visitors annually from across the nation and the world. Given Frederick Douglass' shared roots with the state of Maryland, where he was born as a slave, I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with Representative Harris. Although we do not see eye to eye when it comes to Congress and the District, it is critical that Members of Congress find areas of agreement and work together where we can. I look forward to working with Representative Harris to get this legislation passed this year to prepare for next year's bicentennial."

In 2013, Norton got her bill passed to bring a statue of Frederick Douglass representing the District into the Capitol Building. Douglass' statue is a featured destination on Capitol Hill tours that Norton leads for D.C. students and other organizations.

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