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

Floor Speech

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Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my dear friend and colleague, the chair of the Committee on House Administration, for bringing these bills to the floor and also for his partnership and all the great cooperation that we enjoy.

I rise today in support of H.R. 250. The bipartisan legislation would direct the Joint Committee on the Library, as Mr. Steil said, to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol to be observed by all those blessed to come and tour the United States Capitol.

As my colleague and friend, the sponsor of this bill, along with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Chrissy Houlahan have observed-- and I am quite certain will observe once again in just a few moments-- while there are references to Benjamin Franklin across the Capitol and a statue tucked away in a back hallway, it is black when there are no lights on. There is no statue of one of the most important Founding Fathers accessible to the millions of visitors who have the privilege of touring the Capitol each year.

This legislation would change that, honoring one of the greatest minds and patriots in American history.

Benjamin Franklin was a statesman, diplomat, scientist, inventor, political philosopher, and businessman. His groundbreaking experiments pushed forward scientific understanding, his role as the first Postmaster General created the foundation of our modern mail system, and he was resolutely committed to freeing the Colonies from British rule.

He helped draft both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, and he negotiated the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War. His genius has shaped our Nation in innumerable ways, and he deserves to be prominently displayed and honored in the United States Capitol.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain a new statue of Benjamin Franklin. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan), who is my dear friend and the person who has really led this effort.

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Mr. MORELLE. In closing, Madam Speaker, I thank the people who have spoken here on an idea whose time has more than come. I think this is the appropriate way, and particularly, as Ms. Houlahan says, in recognition of our 250th anniversary upcoming, this will be the appropriate way to honor one of our truly great founding members of the American Revolution and our country.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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