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Resolution 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’

USA119th CongressHRES-137| House 
| Updated: 6/9/2025
Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (5)
Steven Horsford (Democratic)John James (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Wesley Hunt (Republican)Burgess Owens (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution proposes to designate the House Press Gallery, encompassing Rooms H-315 through H-319 of the United States Capitol, as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery." This action aims to honor the enduring legacy of Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave who rose to prominence as an abolitionist, civil rights advocate, and influential journalist. Douglass published his own newspaper, The North Star , and later edited The New National Era , chronicling the progress of Black Americans. He was notably the first Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries , where he regularly reported on House and Senate legislation to inform the African-American community during the critical Reconstruction period following the Civil War. The resolution highlights his unwavering commitment to equal rights, his meetings with President Lincoln, and his perseverance in breaking barriers throughout American history. This designation serves as a permanent recognition of Douglass's pioneering spirit and his significant contributions to both journalism and the fight for freedom and equality.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Apr 2, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 2, 2025
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged
Apr 2, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 6, 2025
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 31.
Jun 6, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-150.
Jun 9, 2025
Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
Jun 9, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2549-2551)
Jun 9, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 137.
Jun 9, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)
Jun 9, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)
Jun 9, 2025
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • April 2, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • April 2, 2025
    Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged


  • April 2, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • June 6, 2025
    Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 31.


  • June 6, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-150.


  • June 9, 2025
    Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.


  • June 9, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2549-2551)


  • June 9, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 137.


  • June 9, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)


  • June 9, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)


  • June 9, 2025
    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Congress

U.S. CapitolU.S. history

Resolution 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’

USA119th CongressHRES-137| House 
| Updated: 6/9/2025
This resolution proposes to designate the House Press Gallery, encompassing Rooms H-315 through H-319 of the United States Capitol, as the "Frederick Douglass Press Gallery." This action aims to honor the enduring legacy of Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave who rose to prominence as an abolitionist, civil rights advocate, and influential journalist. Douglass published his own newspaper, The North Star , and later edited The New National Era , chronicling the progress of Black Americans. He was notably the first Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries , where he regularly reported on House and Senate legislation to inform the African-American community during the critical Reconstruction period following the Civil War. The resolution highlights his unwavering commitment to equal rights, his meetings with President Lincoln, and his perseverance in breaking barriers throughout American history. This designation serves as a permanent recognition of Douglass's pioneering spirit and his significant contributions to both journalism and the fight for freedom and equality.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Apr 2, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 2, 2025
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged
Apr 2, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 6, 2025
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 31.
Jun 6, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-150.
Jun 9, 2025
Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
Jun 9, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2549-2551)
Jun 9, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 137.
Jun 9, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)
Jun 9, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)
Jun 9, 2025
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • February 14, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • April 2, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • April 2, 2025
    Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged


  • April 2, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • June 6, 2025
    Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 31.


  • June 6, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-150.


  • June 9, 2025
    Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.


  • June 9, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2549-2551)


  • June 9, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 137.


  • June 9, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)


  • June 9, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2549-2550)


  • June 9, 2025
    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (5)
Steven Horsford (Democratic)John James (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Wesley Hunt (Republican)Burgess Owens (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

Congress

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
U.S. CapitolU.S. history