Resolve, To Initiate the Procedures To Request the United States Congress's Joint Committee on the Library To Replace a Statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0261
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: MASON, BAKER, GERZOFSKY, WILLETTE, DAUGHTRY, MARTIN

Legislative Document 
No. 261 
S.P. 99 
In Senate, February 3, 2015 
Resolve, To Initiate the Procedures To Request the United States 
Congress's Joint Committee on the Library To Replace a Statue in 
the National Statuary Hall Collection 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator MASON of Androscoggin. 
Cosponsored by Senators: BAKER of Sagadahoc, GERZOFSKY of Cumberland, WILLETTE 
of Aroostook, Representatives: DAUGHTRY of Brunswick, MARTIN of Sinclair, 
McCREIGHT of Harpswell. 
Preamble. Whereas, the statues of 2 great citizens of Maine, William King, 
Maine's first governor, and Hannibal Hamlin, the 15th Vice President of the United 
States, are part of the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol; and 
Whereas, this legislation seeks to put a statue of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in 
the place of the statue of William King in the collection; and 
Whereas, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a president of Bowdoin College, a 
brigadier general in the Union Army, a hero of the Battle of Gettysburg, a Medal of 
Honor recipient and the 32nd Governor of Maine, is a great citizen of Maine whose statue 
would help educate visitors to the United States Capitol about his life and about a great 
state; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission to Install a 
Statue of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in the National Statuary Hall Collection, referred 
to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the 
largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
3.  A member representing the Maine Arts Commission appointed by the Governor; 
4.  A member representing the Maine Historic Preservation Commission appointed 
by the Governor; 
5.  A member representing the Maine State Museum Commission appointed by the 
Governor; 
6.  A member of the public appointed by the President of the Senate; and 
7.  A member of the public appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall: 
1.  Select a sculptor to sculpt the statue of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain; 
2.  Devise a method to raise and collect outside funds necessary to carry out the intent 
of this resolve; 
3.  Represent the State in its dealings with the United States Congress's Joint 
Committee on the Library, which has oversight of the National Statuary Hall Collection, 
and the Architect of the Capitol, who is responsible for the reception, placement and care 
of the statue in the collection; 
4.  Direct the expenditure of money to pay for the sculptor chosen to carve or cast the 
statue, a pedestal and any desired inscription, transporting the statue and pedestal to the 
United States Capitol, removing and transporting the replaced statue, temporarily erecting 
the new statue in the Rotunda of the Capitol for the unveiling ceremony, the unveiling 
ceremony and any other expenses the commission considers necessary; and 
5.  Take any further actions incidental to carrying out the intent of this resolve; and be 
it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Maine Arts Commission, the 
Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the Maine State Museum Commission shall 
provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That the commission shall submit a report that 
includes a summary of the commission's progress in carrying out the intent of this resolve 
and any recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second 
Regular Session of the 127th Legislature; and be it further 
Sec. 8.  Outside funding.  Resolved:  That the commission shall seek funding 
contributions to fully fund the costs associated with carrying out the intent of this resolve. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission to Install a Statue of Joshua Lawrence 
Chamberlain in the National Statuary Hall Collection.  The commission is directed to take 
steps necessary to result in the placement of a statue of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in 
the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol.  This statue will 
replace that of William King, Maine's first governor, the ownership of which may be 
transferred to the State, subject to the approval of the United States Congress's Joint 
Committee on the Library.  The commission is directed to seek outside funding to fully 
fund the costs associated with carrying out the intent of the resolve.