Washington, DC (July 8, 2009): House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Brady praised the passage of a concurrent resolution commemorating the role of slave labor in the original construction of the United States Capitol.  The resolution,  sponsored by Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, directs the Architect of the Capitol to place a permanent marker in the Capitol Visitor Center’s Emancipation Hall, acknowledging the contributions of enslaved African-Americans who provided the labor essential to the construction of the United States Capitol.

“Yesterday, the House of Representatives took a small, overdue step in commemorating the sacrifices and contributions of enslaved African-Americans,” said Brady. “I am pleased to have played a role in the introduction of this historic legislation and I remain committed to ensuring that the U.S. Capitol Complex reflects the richness of diversity that makes our nation great.” 

The placement of the permanent marker is one recommendation of a multi-faceted recognition program proposed by the Slave Labor Task Force, a working group consisting of U.S. House and Senate Members, as well as community leaders, historians and civil rights leaders.  As Chair of the Committee which holds operational and administrative oversight for the House of Representatives, Brady has been active and instrumental in ensuring that many of their recommendations were implemented.  Recommendations already enacted or in process include:

• Development of Commemorative plaques and building stone, quarried by slave labor, placed in or near the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC) and/or the U.S. Capitol

• Educational/informational brochure cards highlighting individual 19^th century African Americans in the Capitol (slave laborers, Members of Congress, staff members)

• Training of the Capitol Guide Service on interpreting the experience of African Americans as slave laborers and Members

• Online publication of the Task Force’s report on the history of slave laborers at the Capitol

• Black Americans in Congress, published by the House of Representatives in 2008, provides extensive material on the experience of African Americans in the Capitol, and accompanied by a website and educational materials

• Designation of the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center as Emancipation Hall