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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 10, 2019 04:15 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Art Haywood |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Constructing a Monument Honoring the Old Eighth Ward |
| A little over 100 years ago, Harrisburg’s Eighth Ward was home to a diverse group of residents that included a sizeable African American population, many of whom were former slaves who were instrumental in the passage of the 15th and the 19th Amendments. The construction of the Pennsylvania State Capitol complex resulted in the demolition of the Old Eighth Ward and the displacement of its residents. Sadly, this important part of our history has nearly been forgotten. I am introducing a concurrent resolution with Representative Patty Kim to allow for the construction of a new monument at the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets that will pay tribute to the legacy of the Old Eighth Ward. In addition, the monument will honor the 150th Anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which gave African Americans the right to vote, and the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which extended the franchise to women. Current plans are for the monument to be complete by June 2020 and for it to be funded entirely from private donations, not from tax dollars. Before work can begin, the state legislature needs to provide its approval through passage of this concurrent resolution. Join me in supporting this resolution and help honor this important part of our state’s history. |