WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the Benjamin Franklin Statue Placement Act. This bill aims to recognize Benjamin Franklin’s immeasurable impact on the founding of the nation by placing a statue of him along the U.S. Capitol Tour route. The legislation would place a statue of Franklin in the Capitol prior to 2026, which coincides with the 250^th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Houlahan and Fitzpatrick are joined by an evenly bipartisan group of 22 of their colleagues at the time of introduction.  

“As a Pennsylvanian, I am proud of our Commonwealth's history and how pivotal it was and still is in shaping our nation's story," said Houlahan. "Bringing a statue of Benjamin Franklin, a prominent Pennsylvanian and important founding father, to the U.S. Capitol will help to reflect this legacy. I am grateful to Rep. Fitzpatrick for co-leading this effort with me and many of our Pennsylvanian colleagues for supporting it.” 

“Benjamin Franklin is a figure of paramount importance to the history of Philadelphia and this nation," said Fitzpatrick. "I am proud to join my fellow Pennsylvanian, Rep. Houlahan, on this bipartisan effort to ensure that Dr. Franklin has a prominent place of honor in the United States Capitol." 

Background:  

At the end of 2022, Houlahan took her first formal tour of the U.S. Capitol building. As she walked through the halls, Houlahan was disappointed to see how little representation there was of Benjamin Franklin despite his being a key figure in the founding of the United States. After doing some research, Houlahan discovered that there were references to Franklin across the Capitol, but only in paintings, carvings on the base of other statues, and decorative doors. She found one statue of Franklin tucked away in a back hallway inaccessible to visitors. The Benjamin Franklin Statue Placement Act is Houlahan’s solution to this lack of recognition. This legislation will ensure a statue of this important founding father can be found along the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center’s tour route for visitors.   

According to the Benjamin Franklin Historical Society, Franklin was an important statesman and diplomat, in addition to his notable scientific contributions, such as discovering that lightning was electricity. Franklin played an essential role in the American Revolution and the founding of the nation. He negotiated the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, and helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Franklin was the only founding father to sign all three of these documents, which formally separated America from Britain. He also served as the first Postmaster General of the United States, appointed in 1775.  

While Benjamin Franklin was born in Massachusetts, his roots in Pennsylvania and his impact on its founding are undeniable. He was instrumental in founding and shaping what became the University of Pennsylvania; he bought and published the Pennsylvania Gazette at age 23 and even served as President of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council, the present-day equivalent of the governor, from 1785 to 1788. Throughout his life and beyond, Franklin was known as a renowned author, philanthropist, inventor, and businessman. Learn more about Franklin here. 

Read the full text of the bill here. 

Reps. Houlahan and Fitzpatrick introduced the Benjamin Franklin Statue Placement Act alongside fellow Pennsylvania Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Dan Meuser (R-PA-09), GT Thompson (R-PA-15), and Susan Wild (D-PA-07) as well as Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Bill Keating (D-MA), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Bob Latta (R-OH), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Lisa McClain (R-MI), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Dina Titus (D-NV), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rob Wittman (R-VA).  

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress. 

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