Latest news with #FrederickDouglassDay
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Wortz responds to Gov. Whitmer's State of the State address
State Rep. Jennifer Wortz criticized Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's recent State of the State address, claiming the governor's conservative stance is insincere, according to a community announcement. 'Masquerading as a partial conservative in one speech won't undo the six years of damage the governor has inflicted on our state,' Wortz said in the announcement. Wortz, R-Quincy, expressed skepticism about Whitmer's recent conservative rhetoric, suggesting it might be an attempt to align with former President Donald Trump. 'I hope her shifting political outlook is genuine, but she needs to follow through with real action to help Republicans bring our state back from the brink,' Wortz said. Wortz criticized Whitmer's proposal to limit phone use in schools, calling it a minor step in addressing the state's educational challenges. 'Our education system is in the bottom 10 in the nation, and we need a real, comprehensive solution to fix the academic crisis she caused with her COVID lockdowns,' Wortz said. Wortz also emphasized the need to restore school safety funding, which she claims Whitmer cut from the budget last year. Wortz accused Whitmer of neglecting the needs of young men and boys during her tenure. 'This right turn from the governor appears good, but it's not enough,' Wortz said. Wortz urged Whitmer to collaborate with Republicans on conservative initiatives to address Michigan's economic, educational and infrastructure issues without imposing new taxes. Local lawmaker introduces resolution to celebrate Frederick Douglass Day 'If she's willing to work with Republicans to take positive, conservative action — not just sound nice — then people will 'think Michigan' when they think of successful states,' Wortz said. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: State Rep. Jennifer Wortz criticizes Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Talks proceed for vote naming House Press Gallery after Frederick Douglass
The effort to name the House Press Gallery after abolitionist Frederick Douglass is getting a push forward as Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) reintroduces a renaming resolution Friday — Frederick Douglass Day — amid favorable talks with House GOP leadership to pass it in this Congress. The resolution would deem the third-floor offices with workspace for journalists and the gallery from which reporters can observe lawmakers on the House floor as the 'Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.' Douglass, who escaped slavery in 1838 and later became a newspaper publisher, was the first Black reporter allowed in the Capitol press galleries — of which he was a member for several years in the 1870s for his newspaper the New National Era. Donalds's team has been in touch with House leadership and the House Administration Committee to get this legislation set for passage, The Hill was told, and is hopeful for a markup in the House Administration Committee 'within the next month or so.' The resolution was first introduced in late 2023, and the effort to secure a vote has been on ever since. Capitol Hill reporter Pablo Manríquez reported in March 2024 that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had talked to Donalds about the Douglass renaming resolution. The resolution calls Douglass 'a pioneer in journalism who broke through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial times in American history, exhibited great perseverance to become an American hero, and became a legend known in the House Press Gallery.' Co-leading the bill this Congress are Reps. André Carson (D-Ind.); Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Wesley Hunt (R-Texas); and Burgess Owens (R-Utah). 'Frederick Douglass famously said, 'knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom.' Working out of the House Press Gallery, he employed the transmission of information to empower our nation to uphold its solemn creed that all men are created equal,' Donalds said in a statement to The Hill. 'By renaming the House Press Gallery offices after him, this hallowed body will pay due respect to a man who made history in these very halls and devoted his life to bettering America through his righteous, fearless, and intrepid fight for freedom,' Donalds said. The bill is opening up to additional co-sponsors after introduction. Douglass was previously honored with a plaque in the House Press Gallery that was installed in 2007. The Donalds resolution says Douglass was 'recorded frequently in the congressional directory and spent a significant amount of time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
14-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Talks on for vote naming House press gallery after Frederick Douglass
The effort to name the House Press Gallery after abolitionist Frederick Douglass is getting a push forward as Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) reintroduces a renaming resolution on Friday — Frederick Douglass Day — amid favorable talks with House GOP leadership to pass it in this Congress. The resolution would deem the third-floor offices with workspace for journalists, and the gallery from reporters can observe lawmakers on the House floor, as the 'Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.' Douglass, who escaped slavery in 1838 and later became a newspaper publisher, was the first Black reporter allowed in the Capitol press galleries, of which he was a member for several years in the 1870s for his newspaper The New National Era. Donalds's team has been in touch with House Leadership and the House Administration Committee to get this legislation set for passage, The Hill is told, and is hopeful for a markup in the House Administration Committee 'within the next month or so.' The resolution was first introduced in late 2023, and the effort to secure a vote has been on ever since. Capitol Hill reporter Pablo Manríquez reported in March 2024 that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had talked to Donalds about the Douglass renaming resolution. The resolution calls Douglass 'a pioneer in journalism who broke through glass ceilings throughout one of the most crucial times in American history, exhibited great perseverance to become an American hero, and became a legend known in the House Press Gallery.' Co-leading the bill in this Congress are Reps. Andre Carson (D-Ind.); Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Wesley Hunt (R-Texas); and Burgess Owens (R-Utah.) 'Frederick Douglass famously said, 'knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom.' Working out of the House Press Gallery, he employed the transmission of information to empower our nation to uphold its solemn creed that all men are created equal,' Donalds said in a statement to The Hill. 'By renaming the House Press Gallery offices after him, this hallowed body will pay due respect to a man who made history in these very halls and devoted his life to bettering America through his righteous, fearless, and intrepid fight for freedom,' Donalds said. The bill is opening up to additional cosponsors after introduction. Douglass was previously honored with a plaque in the House Press Gallery that was installed in 2007. The Donalds resolution says Douglass was 'recorded frequently in the congressional directory and spent a significant amount of time writing and studying from the House Press Gallery.'
