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Donalds Bipartisan Initiative To Name House Press Gallery After Frederick Douglass Passes With Unanimous Support

Washington, June 9, 2025

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Donalds-resolution H.Res.137 – "The Bipartisan Frederick Douglass Press Gallery Renaming Resolution" by unanimous, bipartisan, voice vote to officially name the U.S. House of Representatives Press Gallery after the legendary abolitionist, writer, and statesman.

The resolution was introduced on February 14, 2025 to honor the 207th birthday of Frederick Douglass and designates the House Press Gallery (United States Capitol Rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319) as the “Frederick Douglass Press Gallery."

H.Res.137 – "The Bipartisan Frederick Douglass Press Gallery Renaming Resolution" is co-sponsored by Representatives Andre Carson (D-IN), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Burgess Owens (R-UT), John James (R-MI) and was advanced to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on April 2, 2025.

Transcript of Donalds Remarks During Floor Debate

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today in strong support of H.Res.137 to rename the House Press Gallery the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery— in honor of a man whose life and work embodied the very best of American ideals and shattered through glass ceilings.

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818. After courageously escaping bondage in 1838, he built a life dedicated to truth, liberty, and justice. He became a journalist in Rochester, New York, and launched The North Star using his own money, giving voice to the voiceless in the years before the Civil War.

He fought fiercely against slavery, championed equal rights and women’s suffrage, and became one of the most forceful orators in American history. During the Civil War, Douglass recruited Black soldiers, met with President Lincoln to advocate for equal pay and treatment, and worked to assist those escaping slavery.

After his Rochester home was destroyed in a suspected arson attack, he moved to Anacostia here in Washington, D.C. and became editor — and later owner — of the New National Era, which chronicled Black progress throughout the nation.

Douglass was the first Black reporter admitted to the Capitol press galleries. From 1871 to 1875, he reported on House and Senate action, keeping the African American community informed during Reconstruction after the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. He spent countless hours writing and studying right here in the House Press Gallery.

Even after his tenure in the gallery, he returned often to the Capitol.

Congress has honored Douglass with a portrait and plaque in the gallery, and a statue in Emancipation Hall. This resolution permanently renames these famous offices off of the House Floor for all Americans today, and years to come, to honor his work for freedom in this hallowed chamber.

I would like to thank Speaker Johnson, Chairman Graves, Representatives Andre Carson, Burgess Owens, Stephen Horsford, Wesley Hunt, and John James for their leadership on this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support H.Res.137.

I yield back.

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.

Legislative 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 Resolution HERE.
  • See Congress.Gov Legislative Profile of the Resolution HERE.
  • Watch Passage of the Resolution HERE.
  • See Rep. Donalds Remarks During Debate of the Resolution HERE & HERE.
  • See Chairman Graves Remarks During Debate of the Resolution HERE.
  • See Rep. Larsen Remarks During Debate of the Resolution HERE.


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