New Jersey Assembly Bill A3728

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/24
• Refer: 2/22/24

Caption

Asks Joint Committee on Library of Congress to approve replacing NJ statue of Philip Kearny in National Statuary Hall Collection with statue of Alice Paul.

Impact

If passed, bill A3728 would establish a temporary bipartisan committee responsible for overseeing the replacement process. This committee would include members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, tasked with selecting a sculptor, managing funding, and organizing the transportation and unveiling of the new statue. The legislation indicates that a formal request will be submitted to the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, and, upon approval, an agreement will be executed to facilitate the statue's replacement. This change would signify a shift in how women's contributions to society are symbolically acknowledged in the public sphere.

Summary

Bill A3728 proposes the replacement of New Jersey's statue of Philip Kearny in the National Statuary Hall Collection with that of Alice Paul, a prominent suffragist and women's rights activist. The bill not only recognizes Alice Paul's significant contributions to the women's suffrage movement and her role in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment but also calls attention to the importance of recognizing female figures in representations of American history. By initiating this legislative request, New Jersey seeks to honor the state and national legacy of a figure who fought tirelessly for gender equality.

Contention

While the intent of the bill is to celebrate a key historical figure, challenges may arise concerning the continuation of Kearny's statue in the collection, as proponents of the initial statue may contend with the decision to replace it. Discussion surrounding the historical representation may lead to debates about which figures deserve statues and recognition, reflecting broader issues in cultural representation and historical memory. The bill’s passage could open the door to further discussions on how states commemorate women's roles in history compared to their male counterparts, highlighting ongoing conversations about equality and representation.