National Statuary Hall Collection.
The creation of the National Statuary Hall Collection was authorized by the United States (U.S.) Congress in 1864 to allow each state to provide two statues of notable citizens for display in the U.S. Capitol. The National Statuary Hall Collection comprises 100 statues contributed by the 50 states. Washington has donated two statues to the National Statuary Hall Collection: a statue of Marcus Whitman was donated in 1949, and a statue of Mother Joseph was donated in 1977. Replicas of these statues are found in the north vestibule of the state legislative building.
In 2000 Congress enacted legislation that authorized any state to request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the replacement of a statue the state has provided if: (1) the request has been approved by a resolution adopted by the Legislature of the state and approved by the Governor of the state; and (2) the statue to be replaced has been displayed in the U.S. Capitol for at least 10 years as of the time the request is made unless a waiver is provided.
The resolution adopted by the state Legislature must:
A duly authorized state official, usually the Governor, must submit to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) a written request to provide a new statue, and must include a description of the location in the state where the replaced statue will be displayed after it is transferred back to the state, a copy of the applicable enacted state legislation authorizing the replacement, and whether a committee has been authorized to act on the state's behalf in the process.
Once the replacement request is approved by the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, the state must enter into an agreement with the AOC. The agreement guides the replacement process and consists of the state's commitment to follow the AOC guidelines for the design and fabrication of statues and to take responsibility for costs associated with the replacement process.
Billy Frank Jr.
Billy Frank Jr. was born in Washington on March 9, 1931, and was a Nisqually tribal member. He was known for his commitment to protecting the endangered salmon and his efforts to protect the treaty rights guaranteed to Washington tribes and tribal members. The treaties contained language which secured for the tribes the right to fish at all usual and accustomed grounds and stations. Billy Frank Jr. helped to organize "fish-ins" and demonstrations to reassert the tribal fishing rights that were reserved in the treaties. These events eventually led to what is known as the "Boldt Decision" in United States v. Washington, a 1974 federal court case that reaffirmed tribal rights to harvest salmon and steelhead and established treaty tribes as co-managers of Washington fisheries.
Billy Frank Jr. served as Chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for nearly 30 years. He was involved in the restoration of the Nisqually River Delta, a project which removed the dike system that held back seawater and was a step in the recovery of habitat for wildlife. In 1974 the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the delta and the diversity of fish and wildlife habitats.
Billy Frank Jr. received several awards, including the Common Cause Award for Human Rights Efforts, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, the American Indian Distinguished Service Award, the 2006 Wallace Stegner Award, and the Washington State Environmental Excellence Award. In 2015 Billy Frank Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Billy Frank Jr. died on May 5, 2014, at the age of 83.
Whitman Mission.
In 1836 Marcus Whitman reached the Columbia River and opened the Whitman Mission in Waiilatpu. The Whitman Mission was located along the historic Oregon Trail, and was a frequented rest stop for many westward migrating groups. Over time, the Whitman Mission expanded gradually to include the establishment of large complexes. Today, the Whitman Mission National Historic Site marks the historic site of the Whitman Mission and is located approximately 7 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington.
The Legislature expresses its request that the statue of Marcus Whitman be removed from the National Statuary Hall Collection and replaced with the statue of Billy Frank Jr.
The Billy Frank Jr. National Statuary Hall Selection Committee (Committee) is established to represent the state in carrying out the replacement process. Upon approval of the replacement request by the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, the Governor must convene the committee. The committee must:
The Committee consists of the following members, who shall select the chair of the committee:
The Committee may accept gifts, grants, or endowments for the purpose of carrying out its responsibilities in the replacement process. However, no general fund resources may be used to carry out the replacement process. The Billy Frank Jr. National Statuary Hall Collection Fund is created in the custody of the State Treasurer, where all receipts from any gifts, grants, or endowments received by the committee, as authorized under the act, must be deposited.
By September 30, 2021, the Governor must send the AOC a written request to remove the Marcus Whitman statue and replace it with a Billy Frank Jr. statue, and must notify the AOC that the Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the state in the replacement process. The Governor must select a county in the state where the Marcus Whitman statue will be displayed after it is removed and returned to the state. The selected county must be a county that contains the historical location of the Whitman Mission. The legislative body of the county must approve the location within the county where the statue will be sited. The Governor, acting on behalf of the state, and the selected county shall enter into an agreement for the transfer of ownership of the Marcus Whitman statue.
(In support) Billy Frank Jr. is part of the rich history of Washington, which emanates from indigenous territories. Having a statue of Billy Frank Jr. in the U.S. Capitol would provide a space to share the story of the first people of Washington and also of who Washingtonians are, which is an important story to tell during this time of healing and unification. His recognition is a reminder that the state is One Washington. Washington leads the nation in tribal relations because Billy Frank Jr. helped to foster positive relationships across the country among public, private, and nonprofit entities. He was a public servant who knew how to heal a fractured world.
Billy Frank Jr. was an unflinching advocate of the tribal rights movement. He tested the legal system in a way that led to the "Boldt Decision," which impacted Washington's natural resources forever. After the end of the fishing wars, which led to Billy Frank Jr. being beaten and jailed, he was the first one to reach out and found ways to bring representatives from corporations, environmental communities, and the agricultural industry into the same room to find common ground and ways to navigate around their differences. When tribal treaty rights were circumscribed because of racism and misunderstanding, Billy Frank Jr. advocated for the notion that environmental interests is the public's interest. He went from being known as the "arrest guy" to one of the greatest peace makers.
Billy Frank Jr. advocated for clean water, sustainable salmon runs, and a healthy environment. His passion for fishing on the Nisqually River taught him about the importance of preserving the habitat to make fishing for salmon sustainable for future generations. Few people understood the danger of salmon habitats, but Billy Frank Jr. helped to educate the public about preserving natural habitats for all wildlife, including salmon and the orcas that rely on the salmon.
Billy Frank Jr. was not only a tribal rights advocate, he also fought for a fair system and a more just world, advocating for civil rights and to make Washington more inclusive. Seeing a person of color being honored for their work and resilience offers assurance that the efforts of people of color will not go unnoticed. Billy Frank Jr. was a veteran, a great human being, a nominee for the Nobel Peace prize, and a recipient of numerous awards. It is time to recognize the indigenous leaders of this nation.
This bill not only raises Billy Frank Jr. up for recognition, but also shows respect to Marcus Whitman, and signifies this transition as a "changing of the guard." There are three full-sized Marcus Whitman statutes in various locations, and six quarter size copies in private ownership today.
(Opposed) None.
(In support) The Billy Frank Jr. statue honors his exemplary leadership. It could make a meaningful difference to Washington communities in symbolizing a wholistic representation of history. Tribal leadership is in full support of this bill and is committed to help raising funds for this project.
(Opposed) None.