Frederick Douglass Legacy Finally Honored By Congress

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Washington, DC –  Norton presents this event in commemoration of a long-petitioned law that was recently passed, in September, 2012, to allow a statue of Frederick Douglass to stand in the United States Capitol.  The bronze sculpture was a gift to the Capitol by the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities to add to the prestigious collection of state residents from across the nation. The statue will be the first to represent the District of Columbia and will serve as the first full-sized statue of an African American in the Capitol.

As a noted abolitionist, Douglass will find his new home in the same year that celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech where, appropriately, Dr. King is also featured bronze sculpture in the Capitol. The decision also marks an era of change for the District of Columbia and its struggle for statehood, as Douglass’ inclusion as a representative of Washington, DC suggests remarkable progress in this fight. And within a Congress that has been notoriously bi-partisan, on this one issue the House and Senate came together to agree on the admission of Douglass to the country’s most privileged locale to memorialize extraordinary Americans.

Created by nationally acclaimed local artist Steven Weitzman, the Commission selected Weitzman for his stellar reputation as a ground-breaking sculptor and craftsman. The Douglass statue took over a year to create and now, after five years, multitudes of petitions and focused publicity and lobbying efforts, the statue will finally be moved to the US Capitol.

Weitzman will serve as one of the key speakers at the Black History Celebration in February. “When I was approached about the sculpture, I was honored to have the opportunity to create a true rendering that captured the soul and significance of one of our greatest Americans. Rising from slavery to presidential advisor, Douglass is a true embodiment of the American dream,” shares Weitzman.

The event will take place at 6:30pm, February 4, 2013, at One Judiciary Square in Washington, DC, on the grounds where Douglass has stood for the last five years.

For more information about the statue, please visit:
http://www.weitzmanstudios.com/bronze.php

To watch the making of this incredible piece:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG_o8DFkTXY