New Jersey Assembly Bill A3727

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 statues of Richard Stockton and Philip Kearny in National Statuary Hall Collection with statues of Harriet Tubman and Alice Paul.

Impact

The proposed replacement of the statues aims to modernize the representation of New Jersey’s contribution to national history by honoring figures whose lives and work embody the struggles for freedom and equality. Harriet Tubman, who played a vital role in the Underground Railroad, and Alice Paul, who fought for women's voting rights, both symbolize a progressive and inclusive narrative that reflects today's societal values. This legislation, if enacted, will also emphasize New Jersey's commitment to recognizing and remembering its diverse historical figures.

Summary

Bill A3727 seeks to replace the existing statues of Richard Stockton and Philip Kearny in the National Statuary Hall Collection of the United States Capitol with statues of two prominent historical figures: Harriet Tubman and Alice Paul. The bill highlights the importance of acknowledging significant contributions to civil rights and social justice in New Jersey, and calls upon the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress for approval of this request. Tubman's legacy as an abolitionist, scout, and suffragist, along with Paul's impactful role in the women's suffrage movement, are central to the rationale for this change.

Contention

Opponents of the bill may argue that replacing the statues of Stockton and Kearny could downplay historical achievements represented by these figures, who contributed significantly during their respective eras—Stockton as a statesman during the Revolutionary War and Kearny as a general in the Civil War. The debate over which historical figures are commemorated is often tied to contemporary discussions about representation, societal values, and historical narrative, making this bill a focal point of contention in understanding how we view the past and its representations in public spaces. Moreover, the logistics of funding the sculpting and transportation of the new statues adds additional layers of complexity to the implementation of this bill.