Connecticut House Bill HB05758

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

An Act Establishing A Working Group To Evaluate Naming Of Public Buildings, Streets And Monuments.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it would have the potential to affect state laws regarding public memorials and the honoring of historical figures. The working group would likely examine names associated with controversial historical contexts – inviting public discourse about the alignment of existing honors with contemporary societal values. This could lead to a re-evaluation of numerous public properties throughout the state, fundamentally impacting how history is represented in public spaces.

Summary

House Bill 05758 proposes the establishment of a working group tasked with evaluating the naming of public buildings, streets, and monuments. The primary objective of the group will be to assess historical figures currently honored through these names and determine whether such honors should be reinterpreted, renamed, or removed in a manner that aligns with the principles of inclusion. This move comes in the context of broader societal dialogues about representation and the values that public spaces convey.

Contention

As with any bill concerning historical interpretation and public memory, HB 05758 could stir debate across various community and political lines. Supporters might argue for the necessity of aligning public representations with modern values, advocating inclusivity and sensitivity towards marginalized communities. Conversely, opponents may view the bill as an unnecessary risk to historical legacy or as a form of erasure, prompting concerns over the criteria by which names are evaluated and potential backlash from those attached to traditional honors.