Procurement and Placement of Statue of Benjamin Franklin in the United States Capitol

Floor Speech

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Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 250) to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 250

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. PROCUREMENT AND PLACEMENT OF STATUE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL.

(a) Obtaining of Statue.--Not later than December 31, 2025, the Joint Committee on the Library shall enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin, under such terms and conditions as the Joint Committee considers appropriate consistent with applicable law.

(b) Placement.--Not later than December 31, 2026, the Joint Committee shall place the statue obtained under subsection (a) in a suitable permanent location in the United States Capitol where the statue is accessible to the public during a guided tour of the Capitol provided by the Capitol Visitor Center.
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Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, today I bring forward two bills. Our Nation faces major challenges and concerns, and this body continues to work on those. While we do that, these bills are simple and noncontroversial and do require legislative action to take effect.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 250 to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.

The nonpartisan legislation will allow Congress to place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the Capitol. The legislation will require that not later than 2 years after enactment, the Joint Committee on the Library shall enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin. It will also be required that the statue be placed in a publicly accessible permanent location no later than December 31, 2026.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representatives Houlahan and Fitzpatrick and their 72 additional cosponsors for bringing this legislation forward. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 250, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) to speak on the bill.

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Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared close.

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Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I would like to say, once again, I thank my colleagues, Representative Houlahan and Representative Fitzpatrick, and my long working relationship with Ranking Member Morelle for being able to bring this to the floor.

It is correctly noted that as we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, I think it is true and important that we put this statue here in the United States Capitol.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 250, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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