Politics

Written Forever Into These Walls

By Karina

“This physical and permanent marker will pay tribute to the blood, sweat and tears of the African-American slaves who helped build this magnificent building and ensure that their story is told and never, never, ever forgotten.”
- Rep. John Lewis

Over the past decade, the House and Senate Slave Labor Task Force has worked to document the history of enslaved African Americans who worked as carpenters, masons, rafters, roofers, plasterers, painters, glazers, and other integral occupations building the Capitol?as the Speaker said, “history books had not reported their story, nor described the pivotal role they played in erecting the Capitol.”

On June 16th, Speaker Pelosi joined Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Congressman John Lewis, Senator Blanche Lincoln, and Members of Congress to unveil plaques recognizing the contributions of enslaved African Americans in the construction of the Capitol:

Read about the history of slave labor in the construction of the Capitol, released by the House and Senate?s Slave Labor Task Force»

Speaker Pelosi’s full remarks: (more…)

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 18, 2010 (boomark / email).