Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
Capitol currently holds 252 male sculptures and 14 female sculptures
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, with U.S. Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Collins (R-ME), and Sinema (D-AZ), introduced legislation to place statues of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor in the U.S. Capitol or on the U.S. Capitol grounds to honor their service and dedication to our country. Members of the House of Representatives, led by Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Lois Frankel (D-FL), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), and Bipartisan Women’s Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswomen Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Jenniffer González-Colón (PNP-PR), introduced the House companion today.
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor were trailblazers long before reaching the Supreme Court, opening doors for women at a time when so many insisted on keeping them shut. The Capitol is our most recognizable symbol of Democracy, a place where people from across our country have their voices represented and heard. It is only fitting that we honor their remarkable lives and service to our country by establishing statues in the Capitol,” Klobuchar said.
“This legislation honors two women who have had a tremendous impact on our nation. Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in their own right each made a mark on American history. I am proud to ensure that their legacies live on by establishing monuments of these two matriarchs in our United States Capitol. From Justice O’Connor’s being the first female justice on the Supreme Court to Justice Ginsburg’s efforts on equal citizenship rights—their leadership has made a difference for women and families for generations to come. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill with Senator Klobuchar as we honor the service of these two justices and give thanks to two women who transformed the legal profession,” Murkowski said.
“Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg will always be known as dedicated public servants, fierce champions for equality, and accomplished Americans who broke countless barriers in the field of law. Statues in the nation’s capital honoring the first two women to serve on the highest court in the land will serve as fitting tributes to their invaluable contributions to our country,” Collins said.
“Justice O’Connor and Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women in law and life. By permanently placing their statues in the U.S. Capitol, we’re honoring their legacy and reminding women they can achieve their dreams with grit and determination,” Sinema said.
“Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor broke the ultimate glass ceiling in the legal profession by taking their seats on the U.S. Supreme Court. Both thoughtful jurists, each defended women’s rights in their own way and changed the how the law views gender, discrediting ancient notions about woman’s roles in society. Honoring their legacy by establishing statues on Capitol Grounds in their name will serve as inspiration to women and girls everywhere, and as a reminder to all, that women shall be treated equally, both in society and in the eyes of the law,” DWC Leadership said.
“Our nation’s first and second woman supreme court justices are long overdue to be honored on our Capitol Grounds — they never stopped in the pursuit of justice and made historic breakthroughs, not just for women, but for the entire country,” Bipartisan Women’s Caucus Leadership said. “Their presence in our Capitol is a reminder that a woman’s place is everywhere, something a Republican President saw in 1981 and a Democrat President saw in 1993 — and we owe both Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg a huge debt of gratitude and look forward to honoring them in our nation’s Capitol.”
Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Angus King (I-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined their colleagues in cosponsoring the legislation. In the House, the legislation is also cosponsored by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).
In honor of Justice Ginsburg’s and O’Connor’s trailblazing legacies, the legislation also requires the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library (JCL) to consider selecting an artist from underrepresented demographic groups to create the statues.
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