Norton Testifying Today on Her Bill to Remove the Albert Pike Statue from the Nation’s Capital
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that Norton will testify today at a House hearing on her bill to remove the Albert Pike statue from federal land in the District of Columbia and released her testimony. “General Albert Pike was probably the worst o…
Norton Testifying Today on Her Bill to Remove the Albert Pike Statue from the Nation’s Capital | Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Skip to main content ContactContact EleanorRequest a MeetingOffice LocationsSubscribe To Our NewsletterWebsite ProblemD.C. StatehoodLegislationLegislative ResourcesCommittees and CaucusesCo-Sponsored and Sponsored LegislationHow a Bill Becomes a LawStudents & KidsService AcademiesCongressional Art CompetitionCongressional Black Caucus ScholarshipsD.C. 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"General Albert Pike was probably the worst of the memorialized Confederates," Norton said. "He slaughtered Union troops, a war crime, stole funds and was captured by his own troops. His statue should be preserved in a museum, where it can be properly interpreted." The Pike statue was taken down by a crowd during a demonstration on June 19, 2020, but President Trump has indicated he intends to put the statue back up. The hearing is being held by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands at 10 a.m.The hearing can be viewed here: https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/monumental-decisions-a-long-overdue-reckoning-with-racist-symbols-on-our-public-landsNorton's testimony, as prepared for delivery, follows.Testimony of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes NortonHouse Committee on Natural ResourcesSubcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public LandsHearing on H.R. 4135, a Bill to Remove the Statue of Confederate General Albert PikeJuly 21, 2020Thank you, Chair Haaland, for holding this hearing and for allowing me to testify on my bill to permanently remove the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike from federal land near Judiciary Square in the nation's capital. This statue was authorized, not by the District of Columbia, but by Congress, in 1898, when the District had no home-rule authority. The statue was constructed using both federal and private funds. The Freemasons, of which Pike was a member, donated the majority of the money needed to build and install the statue in 1901. The Freemasons themselves support the statue's removal, given its divisive nature. Although the statue was taken down last month during a demonstration, President Trump reportedly has called for the statue to be put back up. I believe Confederate statues should be placed in museums, as valuable historical artifacts when combined with the story of their meaning in our history. Pike was a Confederate general who served dishonorably and was forced to resign in disgrace. It was found that soldiers under his command mutilated the bodies of Union soldiers, and Pike was ultimately imprisoned after his fellow officers reported that he misappropriated funds. Adding to the dishonor of taking up arms against the United States, Pike dishonored even his Confederate military service. He certainly has no claim to be memorialized in the nation's capital. Even those who do not want Confederate statues removed would have to justify awarding Pike any honor, considering his history. After meeting with the Freemasons in 2017, I decided that the best course of action would be to remove the statue and find a more appropriate place for it. Though my bill does not explicitly say where the statue should be placed, I believe that relocating this statue to a museum and adding historical context would be the most appropriate option. The D.C. Mayor and the D.C. Council also support the removal of the statue. In 2017, the D.C. Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on Congress to remove the statue.Later in this hearing, you will hear testimony from Dr. Frank Smith, Director of the African American Civil War Museum, a tireless advocate for the 209,145 Black Americans who fought for freedom as members of the United States Colored Troops. These brave men fought against the Confederacy and General Albert Pike to end slavery and keep the United States under one flag. Chair Haaland, I appreciate this hearing, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.Office LocationsWashington DC Office2136 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-8050Fax: (202) 225-3002Hours: M-F; 9:00am-5:00pmWashington District Office1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Suite M-1000 Washington, DC 20004Phone: (202) 408-9041Fax: (202) 408-9048Hours: M-F; 9:00am-5:00pmWashington District Office2235 Shannon Place SE Suite 2032-AWashington, DC 20020Phone: (202) 678-8900Fax: (202) 408-8844CopyrightPrivacyHouse.govAccessibilityTop