Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act
- Sponsor
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
- Committees
- Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 22, 2025
Bottom line
This bill mandates the removal or concealment of Francis Newlands' name from a public memorial in Washington, D.C., reflecting ongoing efforts to re-evaluate historical figures commemorated in public spaces.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to remove or permanently conceal all physical references to Francis Newlands from the memorial fountain at Chevy Chase Circle in Washington, D.C. This includes a brass plaque, a stone projection, and carved names on the fountain's coping stones. The removed items are to be offered to Newlands' descendants for 60 days, after which they will be accessioned into the National Park Service's Rock Creek Park museum collection.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that Francis Newlands, a known white supremacist and proponent of racial segregation, should not be honored in public spaces, especially in a diverse city like Washington, D.C. Removing his name aligns public monuments with contemporary values of equity and inclusion, rectifying historical injustices and ensuring public spaces reflect figures worthy of honor.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that removing historical names constitutes an attempt to erase history rather than learn from it, suggesting that context and education are better approaches than physical removal. Some may also contend that such actions set a precedent for continuously re-evaluating and removing monuments based on evolving societal standards, leading to an endless cycle of removals.
The bill is very short and clear, allowing for a quick and complete understanding of its provisions.
Section 2
Removal of Newlands' Name from Memorial Fountain
This section mandates that the Secretary of the Interior take specific actions to eliminate all visible references to Francis G. Newlands from the memorial fountain at Chevy Chase Circle. This includes detaching a brass plaque, removing a stone projection with his name and inscription, and either removing or permanently covering the name 'Newlands' carved into the fountain's upper coping stones. The removed artifacts are to be offered to Newlands' descendants for 60 days, after which they will become part of the National Park Service's Rock Creek Park museum collection.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision directly addresses the problematic public honoring of a figure associated with white supremacy and segregation, ensuring that public spaces reflect inclusive values. They contend that the removal is a symbolic but important step towards racial justice and historical accuracy in public memory.
Critics contend
Opponents might argue that physically altering historical monuments, even those honoring controversial figures, risks erasing parts of history rather than confronting them. They may suggest that adding contextual information or alternative memorials could be a more constructive approach than removal.
Tradeoffs
The provision navigates the tension between preserving historical artifacts and re-evaluating who is publicly honored. It seeks to balance the desire to remove symbols of controversial figures from prominent public display with the need to manage historical objects responsibly by offering them to descendants or placing them in a museum collection.