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Tenth District Congressman Donald M. Payne recently introduced House Resolution 1693, the National Liberty Memorial Act, which would allow for the construction of a monument to honor the contributions that more than 5,000 African-American men, women and children, enslaved and free, made for the liberty of this country. Along with Connecticut Senator Christopher J. Dodd, who also introduced a companion measure in the U.S. Senate, Representative Payne is hopeful that the National Liberty Memorial will inspire our nation to honor its forgotten heroes whose sacrifices helped to extricate our nation from British rule during the Revolutionary War.
After introducing the bill, Payne said, “Many times in history, the selflessness of others is overlooked. Until recently, the contributions that African-Americans made during our country’s Revolutionary War were swept under the rug. This memorial will be an enduring testament to their heroism.”
Envisioned to be situated in Constitution Gardens between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, the site of the commemorative is of significant importance. To the east stands the Washington Monument, representing the fight for America’s Independence, which included many black soldiers and patriots. To the west stands the Lincoln Memorial, which symbolizes the struggle of over 185,000 black soldiers who fought for their emancipation and to keep this nation together.
“As African-Americans continue to take steps to reclaim our ancestry, this memorial is an important chapter in the reclamation of our history,” Payne stated. “I hope that this memorial will instill a sense of pride and contemplation for African-American men, women and children. I also hope that this monument will continue to spark discussion about the many contributions that diverse groups of people made to this country.”
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