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.
If enacted, the bill would not only change the representation of New Jersey in the National Statuary Hall Collection but would also symbolically honor the legacy of women’s rights in the state and across the nation. The establishment of a bipartisan committee to oversee the statue's creation and transportation suggests a collaborative approach to state representation in historical contexts. Furthermore, this act positions New Jersey as a state willing to acknowledge and promote the achievements of women in history.
Assembly Bill A2825 seeks to replace the New Jersey statue of Philip Kearny in the National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of Alice Paul, a prominent women's rights activist and suffragist. The bill emphasizes the significance of Alice Paul's contributions to the women's suffrage movement, highlighting her role in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. By formally requesting this replacement, the bill aims to recognize Alice Paul’s impact on civil rights and women's equality.
While support for the bill may be widespread due to its positive implications for gender equality and historical recognition, potential points of contention could arise regarding the selection process of the statue and the allocation of funds for its creation. There may be discussions concerning the removing of the existing statue and the appropriateness of its replacement. Additionally, differing views on how historical figures should be represented might provoke debates in the community.