HRES 137

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 14, 2025

Mr. Donalds (for himself, Mr. Carson, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Owens) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

June 6, 2025

Additional sponsor: Mr. James

June 6, 2025

Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered to be printed [Strike the preamble and insert the part printed in italic] [Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed in italic]

RESOLUTION

Designating the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol, as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery”.

Whereas Frederick Douglass was born to an enslaved family in 1818; Whereas Douglass bravely escaped slavery in 1838, and spent much of his adult life as a journalist in Rochester, New York; Whereas Douglass published his first newspaper, The North Star, using his own money in the pre-Civil War era; Whereas Douglass was known for fiercely opposing slavery, championing equal rights and women’s rights, and for being a forceful speaker; Whereas, during the Civil War, Douglass was a recruiter for the first African- American army regiment; Whereas Douglass met twice with President Lincoln, first about the pay and treatment of Black soldiers and then to discuss the President’s desire to assist escaping slaves; Whereas after Douglass’ Rochester home was destroyed by fire (which Douglass believed resulted from arson), he moved his family to Anacostia in Washington, DC; Whereas, in 1870, Douglass was asked to become editor of the New National Era, which chronicled the progress of Blacks throughout the United States, and he later bought the paper; Whereas Douglass was the first Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries, where journalists watch lawmakers on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives; Whereas Douglass was a member of the congressional press galleries from 1871- 1875; Whereas Douglass reported on House and Senate legislation regularly to update the African-American community during Reconstruction following the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution; Whereas Douglass was recorded frequently in the congressional directory and spent a significant amount of time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery; Whereas Douglass often visited the Capitol following his time as a member of the congressional press galleries; Whereas Douglass delivered the keynote speech at the unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington’s Lincoln Park; Whereas, in 2007, Douglass was recognized by placing a plaque and painting of him in his honor in the House Press Gallery; Whereas, in 2012, Congress passed and the President signed Public Law 112-174, which directed Frederick Douglass’ statue placement in the Capitol Visitor Center’s Emancipation Hall; and Whereas Douglass was a pioneer in journalism who broke through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial times in American history, exhibited great perseverance to become an American hero, and became a legend known in the House Press Gallery: Now, therefore, be it Whereas Frederick Douglass was born to an enslaved family in 1818; Whereas Douglass bravely escaped slavery in 1838, and spent much of his adult life as a journalist in Rochester, New York; Whereas Douglass published his first newspaper, The North Star, using his own money in the pre-Civil War era; Whereas Douglass was known for fiercely opposing slavery, championing equal rights and women’s rights, and for being a forceful speaker; Whereas, during the Civil War, Douglass was a recruiter for the first African- American Army regiment; Whereas Douglass met twice with President Lincoln, first about the pay and treatment of Black soldiers and then to discuss the President’s desire to assist escaping slaves; Whereas after Douglass’ Rochester home was destroyed by fire (which Douglass believed resulted from arson), he moved his family to Anacostia in Washington, DC; Whereas, in 1870, Douglass was asked to become editor of the New National Era, which chronicled the progress of Blacks throughout the United States, and he later bought the paper; Whereas Douglass was the first Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries, where journalists watch lawmakers on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives; Whereas Douglass was a member of the congressional press galleries from 1871- 1875; Whereas Douglass reported on House and Senate legislation regularly to update the African-American community during Reconstruction following the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution; Whereas Douglass was recorded frequently in the congressional directory and spent a significant amount of time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery; Whereas Douglass often visited the Capitol following his time as a member of the congressional press galleries; Whereas Douglass delivered the keynote speech at the unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington’s Lincoln Park; Whereas, in 2007, Douglass was recognized by placing a plaque and painting of him in his honor in the House Press Gallery; Whereas, in 2012, Congress passed and the President signed Public Law 112-174, which directed Frederick Douglass’ statue placement in the Capitol Visitor Center’s Emancipation Hall; and Whereas Douglass was a pioneer in journalism who broke through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial times in American history, exhibited great perseverance to become an American hero, and became a legend known in the House Press Gallery: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol, is designated as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery”. That the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H- 319 of the United States Capitol) is designated as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery”. Amend the title so as to read: “Resolution designating the House Press Gallery (Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H- 319 of the United States Capitol) as the ‘Frederick Douglass Press Gallery’.”. House Calendar No. 31

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 137

[Report No. 119-150]

RESOLUTION

Designating the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol, as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery”.

June 6, 2025

Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered to be printed