The Herald

Senator Phillip A. Hart and Congressman Diggs Introduce Bill To Establish Douglass National Memorial

Left to right: Mr. James Lewis, Head Dept. of Art, Morgan State College, Baltimore, Md.; Dr. Rosa L. Gragg, Pres. National Assn. of Colored Women's Clubs; Senator Phillip A. Hart and Dr. Joseph Douglass, grandson of Frederick Douglass, all of whom participated in honoring the late Frederick Douglass, distinguished citizen and public servant, friend of Abraham Lincoln, and leader in the cause of Abolition in his life time. The occasion was a luncheon sponsored by the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs last February. Senator Hart has this week introduced a bill to make a national historic shrine of the home in which Mr. Douglass lived in Southeast Washington, in the District of Columbia.

Senator Philip A. Hart (D.-Mich.) and Congressman Charles C. Diggs, Jr. of Detroit (13th) today introduced a bill which would establish a national memorial to a distinguished citizen and public servant, Frederick Douglass. Mr. Douglass, born a slave in 1817, rose to a high position in our country, serving under several Presidents as Recorder of Deeds in the District of Columbia, from 1881-1889, and as our Minister to Haiti, 1889-1891. He was an esteemed friend of President Lincoln, and worked hard in the cause of Abolition.

The house where Mr. Douglass lived for many years in Southeast Washington, has been cared for with loving devotion by the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs through voluntary contributions. Senator Hart pointed out that this organization, headed by Dr. Rosa L. Gragg of Detroit, has done a fine job of keeping up Mr. Douglass' home for many years, having spent several thousands of dollars on repair and upkeep.

"It seems only fitting," Senator Hart stated. "that this house at 1411 W Street, S.E., which contains in Mr. Douglass' library an important source of historical documents for the period in which he lived, should now be turned into a national historical shrine.

"Here in our Nation's capital, where people come not only from all over the United States but all over the world, such a national historic shrine would bring home to countless thousands of visitors the true meaning of democracy and make us even more its showcase."