Purpose

This memorial resolution asks the federal government to allow Minnesota to replace its statue of Henry Mower Rice in the National Statuary Hall with a statue of Hubert H. Humphrey. It cites existing law that lets states replace statues and outlines Minnesota’s plan and responsibilities in the process.

Background and Context

• National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol holds statues donated by states; each state can have up to two statues of notable deceased citizens.
• Minnesota currently has statues of Maria Sanford and Henry Mower Rice.
• A 2000 federal amendment (Public Law 106-554) lets states request the replacement of a statue already on display.
• Hubert H. Humphrey is proposed to replace Henry Mower Rice, recognizing his long public service and major roles in civil rights and national leadership.
• The bill describes Humphrey’s career highlights, including roles as Minneapolis mayor, U.S. Senator, Vice President, and his influence on civil rights and other laws.

Main Provisions (What the bill does)

• The state requests that the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress approve replacing the Rice statue with a Humphrey statue, in line with Public Law 106-554.
• The Humphrey statue would be recast (or newly commemorated) to replace the Rice statue in National Statuary Hall.
• The Rice statue would be transferred from National Statuary Hall to the Minnesota State Historical Society.
• The state would cover costs related to removing the Rice statue, transporting it, and erecting the Humphrey statue.
• The Minnesota statue of Humphrey currently at the Minnesota State Capitol would be recast to serve as the statue for National Statuary Hall.
• The Revisor of Statutes is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of the resolution, authenticated by the Secretary of State and the Governor, for transmission to the Architect of the Capitol, who would forward it to the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress.

Significant Changes to Existing Law or Practice

• Replacing one state statue in National Statuary Hall (Henry Mower Rice) with another (Hubert H. Humphrey) under the federal replacement process authorized by Public Law 106-554.
• Transferring Rice’s statue to the Minnesota Historical Society.
• Recasting Minnesota’s Humphrey statue at the state capitol to be the one associated with National Statuary Hall.

Practical and Financial Considerations

• Minnesota would be responsible for the costs of removing and transporting the Rice statue and erecting the Humphrey statue.
• The change is administrative and ceremonial, tied to federal permission and procedural steps (enrolled copy, transmission to Architect of the Capitol).

Process and Next Steps

• The Joint Committee on the Library of Congress must approve the replacement.
• The Revisor of Statutes would prepare the enrolled copy, and the Secretary of State would transmit it to the Architect of the Capitol for forwarding to the Joint Committee.

Relevant Terms - National Statuary Hall - Joint Committee on the Library of Congress - Public Law 106-554 - Henry Mower Rice - Hubert H. Humphrey - Maria Sanford - Minnesota State Capitol statue of Hubert H. Humphrey - Minnesota Historical Society - Architect of the Capitol - Secretary of State (Minnesota) - Revisor of Statutes