DC Statue Bill Once Again Under Congressional Consideration

A small battle has erupted again in the ongoing war for full rights for District residents. A Senate panel approved a bill that would, among other things, allow DC to have a statue of a famous resident housed in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol Building.

Each state has two statues of famous citizens on display in the halls of the Capitol building. The Senate bill approved by the panel earlier this month would allow DC to display one statue, namely that of Frederick Douglass. The Douglass statue has sat in waiting at the District's One Judiciary Square building since 2008.

Councilman Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) released a statement Monday praising the Senate panel for its vote and asking the House to follow suit.

"I am thankful for the work of the Senate leadership on this important issue and call on the House of Representatives to vote and pass this measure immediately. This vote will make clear who views tax-paying District residents as second-class citizens and who does not," Evans said in a prepared statement.

In December 2010 to allow one statue in the U.S. Capitol Building.