July 30, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 129 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO REMOVE THE STATUE OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL 
                              ALBERT PIKE

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill to require the 
removal of a statue of Confederate General Albert Pike from federal 
land near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia. This statue was 
authorized, not by the District, but by Congress in 1898, when the 
District had no home rule. 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. I oppose tearing down Confederate statues, because I 
believe they should be moved to more appropriate settings, like 
museums, to avoid erasing an important part of history from which 
Americans must continue to learn.
  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 will have to justify 
awarding Pike any honor, considering his history.
  After meeting with the Freemasons, I believe that the best course of 
action is to remove the statue and find a more appropriate place for 
it. The Freemasons themselves support the statue's removal, given its 
divisive nature. The D.C. Mayor and the Council also support the 
removal of the statue.
  My bill clarifies that no federal funds may be used to remove the 
Pike statue. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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