[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 98 (Monday, June 9, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2549-H2551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1730
DESIGNATING THE HOUSE PRESS GALLERY IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL AS THE 
                  ``FREDERICK DOUGLASS PRESS GALLERY''

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 137) 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'', as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 137

       [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;

[[Page H2550]]

       [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''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Graves) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material in the Record on H. Res. 137.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 137 designates the House Press Gallery as the 
Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.
  Frederick Douglass came to Washington, D.C., in 1870 to become editor 
of the New National Era paper, which chronicled the progress of African 
Americans in the United States. He became the first African-American 
member of the press gallery from 1871 to 1875.
  In 2007, he was honored with a plaque and painting in the House Press 
Gallery. This resolution today will officially name the House Press 
Gallery after him. I thank the gentleman from Florida, Representative 
Donalds, for his leadership on this bipartisan resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation and reserve balance of 
my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 137, as amended, which 
designates rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, H-319 in the U.S. Capitol 
as the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.
  We honor Frederick Douglass for his extraordinary contributions to 
this country. Born an enslaved person, he grew to be a prominent 
abolitionist, public intellectual, journalist, world-renowned orator, 
businessman, and statesman.
  Frederick Douglass was a courageous advocate for equal rights who 
used his journalistic and oratorical skills to advance civil liberties 
for all his life.
  It is fitting that we name the House Press Gallery after the first 
Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries.
  Mr. Speaker, I support passage of the resolution, as amended, and 
urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Donalds).
  Mr. DONALDS. 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 and courageously 
escaped 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 the 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 the 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 often would return to 
the Capitol.
  Congress has honored Douglass with a portrait and plaque in the 
gallery and a statute in Emancipation Hall. This

[[Page H2551]]

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 thank Speaker Johnson, Chairman Graves, Representatives Andre 
Carson, Burgess Owens, Stephen Horsford, Wesley Hunt, and  John James 
for their leadership on this resolution.
  I also thank my former staffer, Luke Diel, for all of his hard work 
and dedication in this effort. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 
137.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time, and I am prepared to close.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
will take a moment to recognize someone who has made a particular 
impact on myself and this body, and that is Transportation and 
Infrastructure Republican Staff Director Jack Ruddy, who is leaving the 
Hill after 15 years.
  Jack started out in my office as an intern. He liked it so much he 
decided to come back as an intern four more times. No matter what we 
did or how hard we tried, we just could not get rid of him. I am 
incredibly thankful that he stuck it out because this entire body has 
benefited from his public service and his expertise.
  Jack has come a long way from his days as an intern. He went on to 
serve as my legislative director in my congressional office. For the 
last 6\1/2\ years, he has been with me at the T&I Committee, first as 
deputy staff director and, most notably, as staff director, which he 
led my entire team since 2022.
  It is uncommon in this Chamber that a staff member makes such a 
lasting impact, but Jack is a very uncommon staffer. He is a trusted 
adviser, not only to me but to many members on the Transportation 
Committee on both sides of the aisle.
  Over the years, he has played an integral role in shepherding through 
Congress numerous major legislative priorities to improve America's 
transportation network and build our infrastructure. This includes: the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and other important aviation safety 
legislation; multiple water resources development acts; Coast Guard 
authorizations; public buildings and Federal office space reforms; and 
pipeline safety reauthorizations, just to name a few of the things that 
are out there.

  It takes hard work, skill, extensive knowledge, and a deep 
understanding of the legislative process to get these things across the 
finish line, and Jack has all of those qualities.
  It also takes sacrifice, and Jack, his wife, Paige, and their two 
boys, Joel and Barrett, know that all too well. I thank Jack and his 
entire family for the sacrifices that they have contributed in more 
ways than I can describe. Their sacrifices over the last 6\1/2\ years 
have contributed to the success of the T&I Committee and the House of 
Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I close by saying that anybody who has ever worked with 
Jack knows that these things are very true: He is fair, he is 
pragmatic, and he knows how to get the job done. The most important 
thing that we know is that Jack is a true friend, and I can say that 
from personal experience. We are all going to miss him, and I wish him 
the best of luck as he begins his new chapter in life.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume. I will also take this time to recognize Republican Staff 
Director of T&I, Jack Ruddy, who is leaving at the end of the week, 
after more than 6\1/2\ years of work on the committee and, of course, 
an additional 9 years directly with the chair.
  During Jack's 3 years as staff director, 2\1/2\ of which I have been 
the ranking member of the committee, the T&I Committee has passed 
impactful, bipartisan bills that have moved the ball on a number of 
issues. From our work on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to the 
WRDA Act in 2024, which included the first reauthorization of the 
Economic Development Administration in more than 15 years, Jack has 
proven to be a trusted partner and effective negotiator.
  Just to show you how much work he does do, one of the issues we had 
to settle on the FAA Reauthorization Act occurred when I was in my 
district on Whidbey Island, while Sam was on Midway Island in the 
middle of the Pacific--I don't even know which day it was on Midway at 
the time--but Jack helped facilitate the phone call that helped the 
chair and me resolve a sticky wicket issue that we had to get done to 
get the bill done. I appreciated Jack's help in making that happen.
  Even when we disagreed, Jack was never disagreeable, and he worked to 
find common ground. We are actually sad to see Jack go. I know Jack 
will do well and we wish him great luck in his future endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the resolution and encourage my colleagues to 
do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, in closing, naming the House Press Gallery 
after Frederick Douglass is going to honor his commitment to the free 
press, his legacy, and his work reporting on the official business of 
Congress.
  I urge support of House Resolution 137, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 137, which was 
approved unanimously by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 
in April.
  It has been a pleasure to work with my Transportation and 
Infrastructure colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), to help 
advance this bill through our markup and to the floor today. We are 
both original cosponsors of this resolution from the gentleman from 
Florida, Mr. Donalds.
  H. Res. 137 will rename the House Press Gallery for an amazing 
American, Frederick Douglass.
  Many know Douglass as an abolitionist and orator. Formerly enslaved, 
he emancipated himself.
  Yet many don't know Douglass as a journalist. He first worked with 
William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator.
  Then, he founded and published his own newspaper, The North Star. The 
title recognized the way so many former slaves found liberation--by 
following the North Star to freedom. After the Civil War, Douglass 
published other newspapers, like The New National Era, a Black weekly 
newspaper. Douglass and his sons covered Congress for this publication.
  Frederick Douglass was the very first Black man to report on Congress 
and be allowed into the Capitol press gallery, where he was a member 
from 1871 to 1875. He covered the critical debates in Congress during 
reconstruction, including developments on the 13th, 14th and 15th 
Amendments to the Constitution.
  There is a plaque and a painting of Douglass in the Press Gallery. 
But it's past time for a permanent recognition of his groundbreaking 
and legendary work by renaming the House Press Gallery the Frederick 
Douglass Press Gallery.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting 
passage of this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 137, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended 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'.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________