HF475

Purpose

This memorial resolution asks the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve replacing Minnesota’s current National Statuary Hall statue of Henry Mower Rice with a statue of Hubert H. Humphrey. The request is made in line with federal law that allows states to replace statues on display in National Statuary Hall.

Main Provisions

• Statutory basis and context:
  • References the National Statuary Hall Act (established in 1864) and notes that states may donate up to two statues of distinguished deceased citizens.
  • Cites the 2000 amendment (Public Law 106-554) allowing a state to request replacement of a statue for display, with approval by the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress.
• Selected replacement:
  • Minnesota designates Hubert H. Humphrey to be newly commemorated in National Statuary Hall, replacing Henry Mower Rice.
  • The replacement aligns with Humphrey’s notable public service and historical impact.
• Specific changes to display and installation:
  • The statue of Hubert H. Humphrey that currently stands on the Minnesota State Capitol Mall (sculpted by Jeff and Anna Koh Varilla) would be recast for display in National Statuary Hall.
  • The statue of Henry Mower Rice would be transferred to the Minnesota Historical Society.
  • Minnesota would cover the costs of removing the Rice statue, transporting it, and erecting the new Humphrey statue.
• Procedural steps:
  • The Revisor of Statutes is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of the resolution.
  • The enrolled copy must be authenticated by the Secretary of State and the Governor and transmitted to the Architect of the Capitol for forwarding to the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress.

Significant Changes to Existing Law (context)

• This measure does not change Minnesota statutes; it requests approval to alter the display in National Statuary Hall. If approved by the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, it would result in a replacement statue in the U.S. Capitol and a relocation of the Rice statue to the Minnesota Historical Society, funded by Minnesota.

Process and Next Steps

• The request must be considered and approved by the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress under Public Law 106-554.
• If approved, Minnesota would implement the statue replacement and move Rice’s statue to a new location (Minnesota Historical Society), with the state managing related costs.

Context Notes

• The current Minnesota statues on display include Maria Sanford and Henry Mower Rice.
• Hubert H. Humphrey’s career highlights cited in the resolution include roles as Minneapolis mayor, U.S. senator, and vice president signals of civil rights leadership and long public service.

Relevant Terms National Statuary Hall Joint Committee on the Library of Congress Public Law 106-554 Henry Mower Rice Hubert H. Humphrey Maria Sanford Minnesota State Capitol Minnesota Historical Society Architect of the Capitol recast statue replacement Koh Varilla Jeff and Anna Koh Varilla Revisor of statutes