WASHINGTON – This morning, to honor the 207th birthday of Frederick Douglass, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has reintroduced bipartisan legislation to rename the U.S. House of Representatives Press Gallery after the legendary abolitionist, writer, and statesman.

Upon passage, "The Bipartisan Frederick Douglass Press Gallery Renaming Resolution" would officially designate the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery”.

Last Congress, this commonsense proposal was introduced by Congressman Donalds (R-FL) as H.Res.850 and received the support of Representatives Andre Carson (D-IN), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), John James (R-MI), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Shiela Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY), Russell Fry (R-SC), James McGovern (D-MA), and Cory Mills (R-FL).

This Congress, "The Bipartisan Frederick Douglass Press Gallery Renaming Resolution" is cosponsored by Representatives Andre Carson (D-IN), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Burgess Owens (R-UT), with the support of additional colleagues expected to increase post-introduction.

“Frederick Douglass famously said, ‘Knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom.’ Working out of the House Press Gallery, he employed the transmission of information to empower our nation to uphold its solemn creed that all men are created equal. By renaming the House Press Gallery offices after him, this hallowed body will pay due respect to a man who made history in these very halls and devoted his life to bettering America through his righteous, fearless, and intrepid fight for freedom," said Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL).

"Frederick Douglass taught himself how to read and write, escaped the chains he was born into, became an orator, a scholar, and is remembered today as one of America's most profound and celebrated voices for freedom and equality. I'm proud to join Rep. Donalds in ensuring that Douglass' contributions to American history are forever recognized and remembered within the halls of Congress," said Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT).

Background:

• Frederick 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.
• Douglass was a member of the congressional press galleries from 1871–1875.
• 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.
• Douglass was recorded frequently in the congressional directory and spent a significant amount of time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery.
• 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.
• 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.
  

Bill Actions:

• To designate the House Press Gallery, Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery”.

More:

• Read Text of Current 119th Congress Version of the Bill HERE.
• Read Text of 118th Congress Version of the Bill HERE.