Rep. Johnson Attends Frederick Douglass Statue Unveiling at Capitol

Statement

Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) joined members of Congress and Nettie Washington Douglass, the great-great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, at the U.S Capitol for the unveiling of the statue honoring Mr. Douglass in Emancipation Hall. June 19 is Juneteenth/Emancipation Day commemorating the end of slavery.

"Frederick Douglass was a lion among men -- a pillar of civil rights, freedom and equality," said Rep. Johnson. "Mr. Douglass now takes his rightful place in the pantheon of American legends that line this hall of honor. His struggle for freedom -- rising from slavery to being one of the nation's most revered citizens is a lesson for us all -- that without struggle there is no progress. He is not just the father of the Civil Rights Movement by leading the fight for equality, but he advised President Abraham Lincoln and was a powerful voice for women's rights."

Nettie Washington Douglass is the founder and chairwoman of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives that seeks to stop human trafficking by educating and by empowering young people to take civic action. Ms. Douglass has the unique distinction of being "heir of two great Americans." She is the first person to unite the two families of Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass. Through the union of her mother, Nettie Hancock Washington (granddaughter of Booker T. Washington) and her father, Dr. Frederick Douglass III (great grandson of Frederick Douglass), she is the great granddaughter of Booker T. Washington and the great-great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass. Rep. Johnson, who has met with Ms. Douglass in his Washington, D.C. office, is very supportive of the Foundation.

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