Bill · H.R. 4608· House(119-HR-4608)
Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act
- Introduced
- 7/22/2025
- Last activity
- 7/22/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Eleanor Norton
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act," directs the Secretary of the Interior to take specific actions regarding a memorial fountain. The fountain is located at Chevy Chase Circle in the District of Columbia. The legislation requires the removal or permanent concealment of the name Francis Newlands from the fountain's grounds and stones. Additionally, the bill outlines how the removed items should be handled. They are to be offered to the descendants of Francis Griffith Newlands for a 60-day period. If not claimed, the items will become Federal property maintained by the National Park Service.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+3
The bill addresses historical legacies by removing the name of Francis Newlands from a public memorial.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+2
Removing names of historical figures associated with past injustices can positively impact racial equity.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+2
The bill directs the National Park Service to manage and accession removed items into a museum collection.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Removal of Name from Memorial: The bill directs the removal of the brass plaque, the stone projection, and the carved name from the memorial fountain (Section 2(a)(1)-(3)). This action addresses the presence of the name "Senator Francis G. Newlands" at the Chevy Chase Circle location.
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Clear Protocol for Removed Items: The bill provides a specific process for the handling of the removed items by offering them to descendants for 60 days before they are accessioned into the Rock Creek Park museum collection (Section 2(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Historical Items for Descendants: If the descendants of Francis Griffith Newlands do not claim the removed items within the 60-day window, they will become Federal property (Section 2(a)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- 7/22/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E706)
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Jamie RaskinDemocrat · Maryland