IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 137 
Designating the House Press Gallery, Rooms H–315, H–316, H–317, H– 
318, and H–319 in the United States Capitol, as the ‘‘Frederick Doug-
lass Press Gallery’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 14, 2025 
Mr. DONALDS (for himself, Mr. CARSON, Mr. HORSFORD, Mr. HUNT, and Mr. 
OWENS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
RESOLUTION 
Designating the House Press Gallery, Rooms H–315, H– 
316, H–317, H–318, and H–319 in the United States 
Capitol, as the ‘‘Frederick Douglass Press Gallery’’. 
Whereas Frederick Douglass was born to an enslaved family 
in 1818; 
Whereas Douglass bravely escaped slavery in 1838, and spent 
much of his adult life as a journalist in Rochester, New 
York; 
Whereas Douglass published his first newspaper, The North 
Star, using his own money in the pre-Civil War era; 
Whereas Douglass was known for fiercely opposing slavery, 
championing equal rights and women’s rights, and for 
being a forceful speaker; 
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•HRES 137 IH 
Whereas, during the Civil War, Douglass was a recruiter for 
the first African-American army regiment; 
Whereas Douglass met twice with President Lincoln, first 
about the pay and treatment of Black soldiers and then 
to discuss the President’s desire to assist escaping slaves; 
Whereas after Douglass’ Rochester home was destroyed by 
fire (which Douglass believed resulted from arson), he 
moved his family to Anacostia in Washington, DC; 
Whereas, in 1870, Douglass was asked to become editor of 
the New National Era, which chronicled the progress of 
Blacks throughout the United States, and he later 
bought the paper; 
Whereas Douglass was the first Black reporter allowed into 
the Capitol press galleries, where journalists watch law-
makers on the floors of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives; 
Whereas Douglass was a member of the congressional press 
galleries from 1871–1875; 
Whereas Douglass reported on House and Senate legislation 
regularly to update the African-American community 
during Reconstruction following the 13th, 14th, and 15th 
Amendments to the Constitution; 
Whereas Douglass was recorded frequently in the congres-
sional directory and spent a significant amount of time 
writing and studying from the House Press Gallery; 
Whereas Douglass often visited the Capitol following his time 
as a member of the congressional press galleries; 
Whereas Douglass delivered the keynote speech at the unveil-
ing of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington’s Lin-
coln Park; 
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•HRES 137 IH 
Whereas, in 2007, Douglass was recognized by placing a 
plaque and painting of him in his honor in the House 
Press Gallery; 
Whereas, in 2012, Congress passed and the President signed 
Public Law 112–174, which directed Frederick Douglass’ 
statue placement in the Capitol Visitor Center’s Emanci-
pation Hall; and 
Whereas Douglass was a pioneer in journalism who broke 
through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial 
times in American history, exhibited great perseverance 
to become an American hero, and became a legend known 
in the House Press Gallery: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House Press Gallery, Rooms H– 
315, H–316, H–317, H–318, and H–319 in the United 
States Capitol, is designated as the ‘‘Frederick Douglass 
Press Gallery’’. 
Æ 
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