Due to the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually until further notice.

The Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol is holding this public hearing in order to hear suggestions for a historical person to represent Virginia in a new statue to replace the Robert E. Lee statue in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. Suggestions for a historical figure to represent Virginia in the U.S. Capitol must conform to the following criteria established by the Office of the Architect of the U.S. Capitol. The person must be:

• Deceased,
• Illustrious for historic renown or for distinguished civic or military service,
• Representative of only one individual, and
• A U.S. citizen, to include an indigenous person who resided in the present-day U.S.

The Commission has also added the following additional criteria. The person should be:

• Associated with significant events that changed the course of history or with significant ideals, writing, or concepts,
• Renowned for exemplary valor, patriotism, and bravery,
• One whose primary historical significance ties her or him directly to Virginia, or is a person who has spent the majority of her or his life residing in the Commonwealth, and
• Representative of current prevailing values.

This link will allow you to register to attend the virtual public hearing. Each participant must register separately. Once you register, you will receive an email with a link and telephone number. Registration to attend the public hearing will remain open throughout the duration of the hearing. However:

IN ORDER TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY 5:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 16, 2020.

In order to give your suggestion at the public hearing, you must indicate on the registration form that you would like to speak by answering “yes” to the question, “Do you wish to speak at this public hearing?” Each speaker’s remarks will be limited to 3 minutes; the Commission will hear from the first 80 attendees to register to speak. Registration to speak at this public hearing must be completed by 5:00 p.m. November 16, 2020 and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Anyone who registers to speak after this deadline will not be called on during the public hearing. (Due to the technical capabilities of the software, remarks can only be taken from those logged in to the website through a computer or logged in to the app with an iPad or smartphone; remarks cannot be taken from those on a mobile or land line.)

WRITTEN SUGGESTIONS FOR REPLACEMENT ACCEPTED UNTIL 5:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 27, 2020

Written suggestions may also be submitted. All written suggestions received by Noon, November 16, 2020 will be shared in full with Commission members prior to the meeting, will be summarized during the meeting, and will be posted to the Commission website.

Written suggestions will continue to be accepted until 5:00 p.m. November 27, 2020 and shared in full with Commission members as well as posted to the Commission website. Please submit written suggestions by email to USCapitolCommission@dhr.virginia.gov. (Any communication received by the Commission or the Department or its members or staff is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act § 2.2-3700 et seq.; therefore, please do not include any information, personal or otherwise, that you would not want shared with the public.)

If you have any questions about registering for this virtual public hearing, please email Stephanie Williams at Stephanie.williams@dhr.virginia.gov.

To view emails and letters with suggestions of names submitted in advance of the meeting visit the webpage of the commission and scroll down to the information for the Nov. 17 meeting.