Press Releases

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee made the following statement after Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced plans to replace President Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill:

“It brings me great joy to learn that the United States will honor abolitionist Harriet Tubman by placing her image on the $20 bill,” said Chairman Butterfield. “An African American woman, former slave, freedom fighter, and leader for women’s rights, Ms. Tubman was a true visionary who is most deserving of this recognition. Ms. Tubman was dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans until her death in 1913.  Her legacy continues to impact all Americans to this day and will live on for generations to come.

“Furthermore, the $5 and $10 bills will also feature new historic images that remind us of the activists that have made America a more perfect union,” said Chairman Butterfield. “These designs will represent a more inclusive America by finally representing women, many of whom have been absent in important historical accounts of American history. They made strides towards voting rights and more freedom for Americans. Brave leaders such as Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, and Alice Paul are symbols of our democracy that deserve much needed recognition amongst many others.”

“I applaud the Treasury Department’s decision to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, women’s suffrage leaders including Sojourner Truth on the $10 bill, and civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr. and Marian Anderson on the $5 bill,” said Rep. Maxine Waters. “These depictions on our nation’s currency are long overdue and will show the world the remarkable progress our country has made on the road to equality. The Secretary’s decision recognizes the important contributions of women and people of color to our society. I look forward to the circulation of these bills so that we can all feel the weight of history in our hands.”

# # #

Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.

Media inquiries: Tyler Clifford at (202) 226-9776 or Tyler.Clifford@mail.house.gov