Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2369
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T19:33:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act," aims to remove or permanently conceal references to Francis G. Newlands—a former U.S. Senator—from a memorial fountain in Washington, D.C. This is intended to address the historical association of the site with Newlands, without altering the fountain's structure itself.
Key Provisions
- Short Title (Section 1): The Act is officially named the "Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act."
- Removal Actions (Section 2):
- The Secretary of the Interior must remove a brass plaque inscribed with "Senator Francis G. Newlands" from the fountain grounds.
- Remove a stone tablet-like projection at the south end of the fountain bearing "Francis Griffith Newlands" and a related inscription.
- Remove or permanently conceal the name "Newlands" carved into the upper face of the fountain's coping stones (the top edge bordering the fountain).
- Handling of Removed Items:
- Items must be offered to Newlands' descendants for 60 days.
- If unclaimed, the items become federal property, maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) and added to the Rock Creek Park museum collection.
- Definition: The "memorial fountain" refers specifically to the one at Chevy Chase Circle, at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Western Avenue NW, in the District of Columbia.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, targeted directive for the federal government to modify a specific public memorial on federal land. It does not amend broader laws but creates a one-time mandate for the Department of the Interior, potentially setting a precedent for future removals of names from public sites associated with controversial historical figures.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and NPS will incur costs and logistical efforts for the removal, concealment, and potential museum accessioning of items. This could involve coordination with preservation experts to ensure the fountain's integrity is maintained.
- Citizens: Residents and visitors in the District of Columbia may see a change in the historical presentation of a public landmark, potentially affecting local cultural or educational narratives around the site. No direct financial impact on citizens is outlined.
- International Relations: None apparent, as the bill focuses on a domestic historical site.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Primarily the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service, responsible for execution.
- Descendants of Francis G. Newlands: Given the opportunity to claim removed items.
- Public and Local Community: Residents of Washington, D.C., and visitors to Chevy Chase Circle, who interact with the memorial as a public space.
- Historical Preservation Groups: Indirectly involved, as the changes could influence discussions on managing federal historic sites.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill provides clear authority for federal action on federally managed property, avoiding disputes over jurisdiction. It emphasizes preservation by directing unclaimed items to a museum rather than destruction.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate federal lands and properties under Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution; no apparent free speech or property rights issues, as it targets inscriptions on public monuments.
- Political: Reflects ongoing national debates about commemorating historical figures with ties to discriminatory policies (Newlands supported segregationist measures), potentially influencing similar efforts to update public symbols without broader historical erasure. The bill's referral to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources underscores its focus on federal land management.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2025-07-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (3 pages)