WASHINGTON – U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-6) along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), Minority Whip Steve Scalise (LA-1), Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Congressman Tom Rice (SC-07) and the family of former Representative Joseph H. Rainey unveiled “The Joseph H. Rainey Room” in the U.S. Capitol Thursday. Congressman Rainey was the first elected African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“This is a proud moment for the House of Representatives and the entire country. My colleagues and I have come together in a bipartisan effort to honor an inspiring figure in our nation’s history,” said Congressman Clyburn. “Joseph Rainey’s courage and willingness to be the voice of South Carolina’s 1st district for eight years in the face of rampant voter suppression and intimidation is a testament to why we honor him today.
“It is also critical for us to keep things in the proper perspective and remember that the facts of history should be learned and not muddled by attempts to mislabel facts as theory. Joseph Rainey was the 1st elected Black man to serve in Congress – that is an undisputed fact,” Congressman Clyburn continued. “I have grandchildren who ought to be able to learn the story of Joseph Rainey and the inspiration he was to the eight Black Congressmen (from South Carolina) who followed him. I want my grandchildren to be just as proud of this moment and this country as I am.
“I thank the family for traveling to the Capitol to witness this unveiling,” Congressman Clyburn concluded. “And I thank Speaker Pelosi, Minority Whip Scalise, Chairwoman Beatty and Representative Rice for helping to ensure Joseph Rainey’s name will forever have a place in the halls of Congress.”
BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives celebrated the 150th anniversary of Joseph Rainey’s swearing-in by passing House Resolution 1253, which designated room H-150 in the United States Capitol as “The Joseph H. Rainey Room.” Congressman Rainey served on the Committee on Indian Affairs which met in room 150 during the 43rd Congress (1873-1875).
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