The following is news from the Office of Congressman Michael San Nicolas:
(Washington, D.C.) Within the Capitol of the United States is Statuary Hall, the original floor of the House of Representatives that now houses and displays statues of historic figures chosen, commissioned, and dedicated by each of the 50 States.
Territories are not represented among the historic figures.
In the presence of over 40 students and visitors from St. Anthony Catholic School on Guam, Congressman San Nicolas signed his Bill to authorize Territories to dedicate their respective statues to Statuary Hall.
"Territories have our heroes too, and the peoples of Territories are as American as any of the 50 States," opened Congressman San Nicolas. "As we endeavor for greater equality in the land where 'All are created Equal' the Congress must be compelled to recognize Territorial heroes symbolically as we seek to do so for the peoples of Territories legislatively," Congressman San Nicolas added.
"With this Bill we will literally set the stage for Territories on equal symbolic footing with States within the U.S. Capitol, and it is only fitting," Congressman San Nicolas concludes.
After escorting the St. Anthony students on their private tour of the U.S. Capitol, Congressman San Nicolas told the students, "Today you witness the signing of this Bill, and we look forward to your return to see Guam's statue among the heroes of Statuary Hall."
