H.R. 7915: Clarence Mitchell, Jr. Statue Act

This bill, known as the **Clarence Mitchell, Jr. Statue Act**, aims to honor the legacy of Clarence Mitchell, Jr. by directing the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to obtain a statue of him for placement in the United States Capitol.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is officially titled the Clarence Mitchell, Jr. Statue Act.
• Findings: The bill includes several findings that highlight Clarence Mitchell, Jr.'s significant contributions, including:
  • His birth in Baltimore on March 8, 1911, and education from the University of Maryland School of Law.
  • His early career as a reporter for the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper and notable reporting on civil rights issues.
  • His long-term role as the director of the NAACP's Washington Bureau from 1950 to 1978, advocating for critical civil rights legislation such as the Civil Rights Laws of 1957 and 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Law of 1968.
  • His ability to build bipartisan relationships that facilitated his advocacy work.
  • His appointment to the United Nations delegation in 1975 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.
• Obtaining the Statue: The Joint Committee of Congress on the Library is tasked with obtaining a statue of Clarence Mitchell, Jr. within two years of the bill's enactment. They have the authority to authorize the Architect of the Capitol to manage related agreements and contracts necessary for this process.
• Placement of the Statue: The acquired statue will be placed in a permanent public location within the United States Capitol.
• Authorization of Appropriations: The bill authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds, which will remain available until expended, to fulfill the provisions of the act.

Purpose of the Bill

The primary purpose of the bill is to recognize and honor the contributions of Clarence Mitchell, Jr. to the civil rights movement in the United States by providing a permanent memorial in a prominent national location.

Relevant Companies

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