Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Wednesday will introduce a bill to establish a commission commemorating the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the District’s nonvoting delegate, and Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) introduced the House version of the legislation last month.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is scheduled to consider the bill on Wednesday .
Van Hollen, of Montgomery County, noted Douglass is considered a native son of Maryland, where he was born in 1818, and the District, where he died in 1895.
“Two hundred years after Douglass’ birth, it is important to reflect upon his great achievements and pay tribute to his fight for freedom and justice,” Van Hollen said in a statement.
Under the legislation, a 16-member commission would recommend to Congress by Dec. 1 whether to issue a postage stamp commemorating Douglass, convene a joint session of Congress or preserve artifacts of the abolitionist’s life.
“This commission will explore how we can celebrate his legacy and redouble our efforts to make an ever more perfect union,” Van Hollen said. “As Douglass once stated, ‘The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.’ ”