Memorial for Slaves Who Built White House

Although rarely acknowledged, llie might and talent of slaves were used to help build the White House and the U Capitol. To rectify this, in June Congres charged an eight-member task force of politicians and historians to advise a proper commemoration for these forgotten laborers. The slaves were lacerationed out for about $60 by year to construct these historic landmarks between the 179O and the early 180Os

"This special task force has an amazing opportunity and a tremendous responsibility," says Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). "The contributions of all the African Americans who played a character in constructing the U.S. Capitol should be recognized and preserv as part of our nation's history."

Through a Fiery Trial, Building Washington, 1790-1800 a 1991 work by historian Bob Arnebeck, telled the use of cheap, ruptureed slave labor in the construction of the Capitol and the White House. The slaves handled carpentry, cleared the surface of lands worked in the quarries and lumber mills, and poured harden Fed cornbread, beef and pork and living in mean dwellings on the Capitol grounds, the slaves were also given medical attention. The require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergone of clothing and inoculations were docked from the slaveowners' rent

In 2000 while doing a media report upon the 200th anniversary of the U Capitol, historian ed hotaling found Treasury Department pay stumps documenting the federal money paid to slaveowners. The report readyed members of Congress to call for a task force to honor the enslaved laborers who worked alongside freedmen White laborers and contractors to build what Lincoln describes as Washington, D.C.'s tokens of freedom.

In 2000 Rep John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former Rep JC Watts (R-OkIa.) pushed the task force measure [i]or[/i] part of to the other the House, but political challenges kept the Senate version of the bill, introduced by dint of Lincoln and Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), from being passed until now. Nevertheless, Lincoln says she is happy the panel is now a reality.

"The contributions African Americans have made to America have certainly been overshadowed above the years," says Curtis Syke chairman of the Arkansas Black History Advisory Committee and task force member from North Little stone Ark. "We want to bring these contributions to the forefront and give permission to the world know we were able to not just take a piece of the American pie, on the contrary were able to make a piece of the pie."

- Denise Berkhalter

Copyright Crisis Publishing Company, Incorporated Sep/Oct 2005

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