PolicyBrief
H.CON.RES. 62
119th CongressDec 4th 2025
Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to unveil the statue of Barbara Rose Johns.
SENATE PASSED

This bill authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to unveil the statue of Barbara Rose Johns on December 16, 2025.

Robert Wittman
R

Robert Wittman

Representative

VA-1

LEGISLATION

Capitol Hall Authorized for Barbara Rose Johns Statue Unveiling on December 16, 2025

This Concurrent Resolution is purely administrative, authorizing the use of a specific public space for a ceremonial event. It states that Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center can be used on December 16, 2025, for the unveiling of the statue honoring civil rights pioneer Barbara Rose Johns.

The Logistics of Legacy

Essentially, this bill is the official permission slip required to use a federal building for a special occasion. It doesn't introduce new policy, spend money on the statue itself, or change any existing laws. Its main purpose is to clear the calendar and secure the venue for this specific date in late 2025 (Section 1).

For the average person, this means that the recognition of a significant historical figure is moving forward through the necessary bureaucratic steps. Think of it like booking a major event space—you need the venue, the date, and the sign-off from the property manager. In this case, the 'property manager' is the Architect of the Capitol, who is tasked with setting all the conditions for the physical preparations, such as setup, security, and tear-down (Section 1).

Impact on the Daily Grind

Since this is an authorization for a single event over a year away, the impact on daily life is minimal. The biggest change is purely administrative and ceremonial. However, if you happen to be planning a visit to the Capitol Visitor Center on December 16, 2025, you should be aware that Emancipation Hall will be closed or heavily restricted for the statue unveiling. This is a standard trade-off when federal spaces are used for high-profile public events—a minor, temporary inconvenience for a significant moment of historical recognition.