Black Republican VP Candidate to be Honored in US Capitol
Fredrick Douglass, a champion of civil rights, will be honored as the newest statue in Statuary Hall as a representation of Washington, D.C. The bronze statue, created by local artist Steven Weitzman, will be unveiled on June 19th.
BRENTWOOD, MD, June 09, 2013
In these times of unprecedented fierce partisan politics, an extraordinary Republican, the first black Vice-Presidential candidate, a forceful advocate for minority and women's rights, a newspaper entrepreneur and author is revered enough to now be commemorated with a statue in the United States Capitol.In one of the rare occasions that both houses of Congress agreed with the President of the United States, a bronze statue of Frederick Douglass, commissioned by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and will be installed in the United States Capitol on June 19, 2013. Some say this statue, created by nationally recognized local artist Steven Weitzman, is another step towards statehood for Washington DC to be represented in the Capitol alongside the other hundred plus statues.
A tireless champion of fair and equal rights, Douglass actively supported racial equality for all, immigrant rights, women's suffrage, participated in the first Women's Rights Convention, espoused education opportunities and was offered to run for the Vice-Presidency in 1872. Douglass's keen intellect and fearless humanist activism made him one of the most revered figures in American history.
This long awaited investiture will mark an important historical event for Washington DC as well as for the country as a whole.
Artist Steven Weitzman cannot be restricted to one type of art discipline. Although best known for his site-specific figurative sculptures and environmental designs, his pieces range in scale from objects that fit into one's hand to installations that span miles of space. Inventor of FŌTERA structural concrete in 1988 and now managing four companies, Weitzman works out of Brentwood, MD and has art in 14 states.