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HR 7915

Clarence Mitchell, Jr. Statue Act

119th Congress Introduced by Nanette Barragán and 14 co-sponsors

The bill would authorize and fund the commissioning and placement of a statue of Clarence Mitchell, Jr. in the U.S. Capitol within two years.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 7915

Summary of HR 7915 – Clarence Mitchell, Jr. Statue Act (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to obtain and place a statue of Clarence Mitchell, Jr. in the United States Capitol.
  • Named the “Clarence Mitchell, Jr. Statue Act.”

Key provisions and changes

  • Findings (Section 2) establish the historical significance of Clarence Mitchell, Jr., including:
    • Born in Baltimore on March 8, 1911; educated at Baltimore public schools and the University of Maryland School of Law.
    • Early career as a reporter for the Baltimore Afro-American, documenting events such as the lynching of George Armwood.
    • Longtime director (1950–1978) of the NAACP Washington Bureau, contributing to the passage of major civil rights laws (1957, 1964 Civil Rights Acts; 1965 Voting Rights Act; 1968 Fair Housing Act).
    • Built bipartisan relationships with leaders across the aisle (e.g., John W. McCormack and Everett Dirksen).
    • Served as a US delegate to the United Nations in 1975.
    • Testified extensively (approximately 180 times) before congressional committees between 1946 and 1978 to advocate for civil rights.
    • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter for his civil rights advocacy.
  • Placement and acquisition process (Section 3):
    • Subsection (a): Within 2 years after enactment, the Joint Committee on the Library must enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Clarence Mitchell, Jr., under terms the Committee deems appropriate and compliant with the law.
    • The Architect of the Capitol may be authorized to enter into the necessary agreements and related contracts on behalf of the Joint Committee.
    • Subsection (b): The statue must be placed in a permanent public location within the United States Capitol.
    • Subsection (c): Authorization of appropriations; Congress may appropriate funds as needed, with funds remaining available until expended.

Who or what would be affected

  • The Joint Committee of Congress on the Library (JCCL) would lead the project, including negotiations for the statue and placement logistics.
  • The Architect of the Capitol could be authorized to manage related contracts.
  • Public interest beneficiaries include Capitol visitors and the broader public who would access a new statue honoring Clarence Mitchell, Jr.
  • Funding implications: The bill authorizes appropriations, with no specified dollar amount in the text; funds would be available until expended.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced in the House on March 12, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • If enacted, the Joint Committee on the Library must complete an agreement to obtain the statue within 2 years of enactment.
  • The statue would be placed in a permanent location in the Capitol once obtained.

Plain-language takeaway

HR 7915 seeks to recognize Clarence Mitchell, Jr., a prominent civil rights advocate and longtime NAACP Washington Bureau director, by commissioning and installing a statue in the U.S. Capitol within two years of enactment. The measure empowers the Joint Committee on the Library (and the Architect of the Capitol as needed) to secure and place the statue and authorizes funding to support the project.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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