Black Republican VP Candidate to Be Honored in US Capitol

Online, June 11, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Washington DC- In these times of unprecedented fierce partisan politics, an extraordinary Republican, the first black Vice-Presidential candidate, a forceful advocate for minority and women's rights, a newspaper entrepreneur and author is revered enough to now be commemorated with a statue in the United States Capitol.

In one of the rare occasions that both houses of Congress agreed with the President of the United States, a bronze statue of Frederick Douglass, commissioned by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and will be installed in the United States Capitol on June 19, 2013. Some say this statue, created by nationally recognized local artist Steven Weitzman, is another step towards statehood for Washington, D.C. to be represented in the Capitol alongside the other hundred plus statues. Either way, it is a historic occurrence.

A tireless champion of fair and equal rights, Douglass actively supported racial equality for all, immigrant rights, women's suffrage, participated in the first Women's Rights Convention, espoused education opportunities and was offered to run for the Vice-Presidency in 1872. Considering all his work in civil rights, it is fitting for the ceremony to be on June 19th, Juneteenth, a day celebrating the final liberation of slaves.

Douglass's keen intellect and fearless humanist activism made him one of the most revered figures in American history. His skill in oration and writing is capturing in the seven foot tall statue that will now adorn Statuary Hall. This long awaited investiture will mark an important historical event for Washington, D.C. as well as for the country as a whole.