House Proceeding on Jul 7th, 2009 :: 0:56:20 to 1:00:00
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0:56:11 to 0:56:32( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: resolution 135, concurrent resolution directing the architect of the capitol to place a marker in emancipation hall in the capitol visitor center which acknowledges the role that slave labor played in the construction of the united states capitol and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from georgia, mr. johnson, and the gentleman from mississippi, mr. harper, each

0:56:20 to 1:00:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Hank Johnson

0:56:33 to 0:56:55( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from georgia. mr. johnson: thank you, mr. chairman. before i get started, i will say that i appreciate the way that the speaker is conducting this hearing and conducting himself throughout the process. i appreciate that.

0:56:56 to 0:57:16( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in their remarks and include extraneous matter on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized. mr. johnson: i yield myself such time as i may consume.

0:57:17 to 0:57:37( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: mr. speaker, -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. johnson:n may of 2005, congressional leadership appointed a task force to st the contributions of enslaved african-americans to the construction of this great edifice, our united states capitol. the task force was also asked

0:57:38 to 0:57:58( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: to recommend appropriate steps to take to recognize their contribution. in support of that effort, the architectural historian to the architect of the capitol produced a report on the contributions of slave laborers to the capitol's construction

0:57:59 to 0:58:19( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: during the -- during the 110th congress, they received recommendations of the task force, chaired by the gentleman from georgia, my colleague and mentor congressman john lewis. the task force devoted considerable time and effort to reviewing the architect's

0:58:20 to 0:58:42( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: report on the use of slaves during the capitol's construction and developing recommendations. mr. speaker, americans now living cannot remove the stain of our nation's past, but we

0:58:43 to 0:59:03( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: can admit our fore bear's sin. we must acknowledge the sacrifices of those americans who, without choice, worked to build a government that kept them in bondage. the task forces -- the task force's report recommended a number of steps to do what we can. several of their

0:59:04 to 0:59:25( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: recommendations, incding the naming of emancipation hall in the new capitol visitor's center he already been completed. the placement of a marker in emancipation hall requires further legislative action as embodied in this resolution. this resolution will provide for the installation of a

0:59:26 to 0:59:46( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: marker by the architect of the capitol under the supervision of the house administration committee and the senate committee on rules and administration. as the resolution contemplates the committees will make every effort to use some of the original slave 1/4ried stones.

0:59:47 to 1:00:02( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: the stones were removed from the capitol during the previous renovations and are held in storage. i urge all members to support this legislation which has