Leadership of the House and Senate unveiled a marker that commemorates the contributions of more than 100 slaves who helped build the U.S. Capitol.  

“I am very proud,” said Rep. John Lewis, “that the work of the task force has led to this and other ways that the story of slave laborers will be remembered as contributors to the Capitol building. Too many people believe that African Americans had played no significant role in establishing this country.  That is partially due to the fact that the story of their contribution has not been told. 

“When I walk through Statuary Hall,  it means a great deal to me to know that the unusual grey marble columns were likely hewn` and polished by slaves in Maryland. They quarried the stone in Maryland and sailed ships or barges many miles down the Potomac River weighed down by heavy marble columns to bring them to D.C. Somehow they carried them several miles through the streets perhaps using wagons and mules or horses, and then hoisted them up so they are standing as we see them today in the Capitol. The bronze statue sitting on top of the Capitol dome also involved the contribution of slaves.  These men and woman played a powerful role in our history and that must not be forgotten.”