{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-harris-announce-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor", "Norton, Harris Announce Bill to Establish Commission to Honor Bicentennial of Frederick Douglass Birth Scheduled for House Floor Consideration, Next Week", "2017-10-07", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) today announced that their Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act is scheduled to be brought to the House floor on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, under suspension of the rules.\u00a0 The bill would establish a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country\u2019s greatest abolitionist for slavery, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018.\u00a0 The bipartisan bill was passed by voice vote by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in July.\u00a0 Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Senate companion to Norton\u2019s bill.\n\u201cI thank the House leadership for permitting our bill to go forward in time for the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission\u2019s recommendations to be implemented, and I appreciate Congressman Harris for being the original cosponsor of the bill, as Douglass was born in Maryland.\u201d Congresswoman Norton said.\u00a0 \u201cDouglass spent most of his adult life in the District of Columbia, and his home is located in Cedar Hill in Ward 8, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, and D.C. residents chose Douglass as our representative statue in the Capitol.\u00a0 Douglass is admired worldwide, and it is important that the life of this extraordinary American be celebrated across the country, and this commission will ensure it is.\u201d\n\u201cI commend the Oversight Committee\u2019s approval of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act and House Leadership\u2019s plan to provide this bill with a vote on the House floor.\u00a0 As we approach the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass\u2019 birth, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this bill,\u201d Congressman Harris stated.\u00a0 \u201cThe purpose of this bill is more than just honoring the birth of one great civil rights leader.\u00a0 Its purpose is to recognize his lasting impact on American government, culture, and values.\u00a0 Frederick Douglass is a model for the values that make our nation great: equality, liberty, and a commitment to working hard and helping others.\u201d\nThe Commission will plan, develop and carry out programs and activities that are fitting and proper to honor Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth.\u00a0 The Commission will also recommend to Congress programs and activities that the Commission considers fitting and proper to honor Douglass on such occasion.\u00a0 The Commission will be composed of 16 members appointed by the president and congressional leadership.\u00a0 Four members appointed by the president would be based on the recommendations of the D.C. mayor and the governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-harris-announce-bill-to-establish-commission-to-honor"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1437302455306053, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}