Committee Reports

111th Congress (2009-2010)

House Report 111-153

79-009

1st Session

111-153
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

[To accompany H. Con. Res. 135]

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

The Committee on House Administration, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 135) 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, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

In May of 2005, House and Senate Leadership announced appointments to a Task Force to study the contributions of enslaved African Americans in building the U.S. Capitol. The Task Force was also charged with the task of developing recommendations to the Congress concerning appropriate recognition of these efforts. In support of this effort, in June 2005, the Architectural Historian of the Architect of the Capitol provided a report on the contributions of slave laborers to the construction of the Capitol. On November 7, 2007, during the 110th Congress, the Committee on House Administration held a hearing to receive the recommendations of the Slave Labor Task Force Working Group, chaired by Representative John Lewis of Georgia. The Task Force spent several years exploring the extensive role played by slaves in the construction of the Capitol.

Of course, Americans now living cannot rectify these sins of the past, nor can we even thank the slave laborers for their sacrifice. But we can acknowledge those sins and the sacrifices of the laborers. The Task Force's report recommended a number of steps be taken to do what we can. Several of their recommendations, including the naming of Emancipation Hall in the new Capitol Visitor Center, have already been achieved.

However, the placement of a new marker in Emancipation Hall, as proposed by this concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 135) requires further legislative action. This resolution will provide for the installation of such a marker by the Architect of the Capitol, under the supervision of this 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-quarried stones that were removed from the original walls of the Capitol during previous renovations.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On June 10, 2009, the Committee considered H. Con. Res. 135, introduced May 21, 2009, by Representative John Lewis of Georgia. By voice vote, the Committee ordered the concurrent resolution reported without amendment. No recorded votes were taken during the Committee's consideration of the resolution.

DESCRIPTION OF H. CON. RES. 135

Section 1. Provides for placement of a marker in the Capitol Visitor Center to acknowledge the role of slave labor in the construction of the Capitol.

(a) Requires the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the approval of the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, to design, procure, and place in a prominent location in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center a marker that acknowledges the role that slave labor played in the construction of the United States Capitol.

(b) In the development of the marker, the Architect must consider the recommendations of the Slave Labor Task Force Working Group; ensure that the marker includes stone quarried by slaves in the construction of the Capitol to the greatest extent possible; and ensure that the marker includes a plaque or inscription that describes the purpose of the marker.

MATTERS REQUIRED UNDER THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

Committee votes

Clause 3(b) of House Rule XIII requires the results of each recorded vote on an amendment or motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and against, to be printed in the committee report. No recorded votes were taken during the Committee's consideration of H. Con. Res. 135.

Oversight findings

Clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII requires each committee report to contain oversight findings and recommendations required pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of House rule X. The Committee has general oversight responsibility for the House wing of the Capitol and the Capitol Visitor Center.

In the exercise of oversight of these historic structures and those who manage them, the Committee finds that the absence of an appropriate marker acknowledging the role of slave laborers in the Capitol's construction omits this important aspect of the building's and the country's history. The Committee therefore recommends the adoption of H. Con. Res. 135.

Statement of new budget authority and related items

Clause 3(c)(2) of House rule XIII and Section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) require most bills and resolutions providing new budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures to include such information. H. Con. Res. 135 provides no budget, spending or credit authority or any change in revenues or tax expenditures.

Congressional Budget Office estimate

Clause 3(c)(3) of House rule XIII requires the report of a committee on a measure which has been approved by the committee to include a cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the CBA, if timely submitted. The Director submitted the following estimate:

Hon. ROBERT A. BRADY,
Chairman, Committee on House Administration,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 135, 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.

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford.

Sincerely,

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF.

Enclosure.

H. Con. Res. 135--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

H. Con. Res. 135 would direct the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), with the approval of the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, to design, procure, and place in a prominent location in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center a marker acknowledging the role that slave labor played in constructing the United States Capitol. Based on information from the AOC, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost less than $300,000, subject to the availability of appropriated amounts. The legislation would have no affect on direct spending or revenues.

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew Pickford. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Statement of general performance goals and objectives

Clause 3(c)(4) of House rule XIII requires committee reports to include a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which the measure authorizes funding. House Concurrent Resolution 135 authorizes no appropriations. The Committee believes that adoption of the concurrent resolution will advance the Congress' goal of promoting widespread knowledge and understanding among the American people of this aspect of the history of their Capitol and their country.

Federal mandates

Section 423 of the CBA requires committee reports on bills or resolutions to include specific information about federal mandates. The concurrent resolution imposes no federal mandates.

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