H.Res.137 renamse 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.
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.
Donalds Remarks During Floor Debate
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.
