Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment
and Historic Events
Jacob R. Straus
Analyst on the Congress
Matthew Eric Glassman
Analyst on the Congress
June 9, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R41857
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Summary
Statuary Hall has been used as the setting for a variety of events, including memorial ceremonies
and receptions for new Members of Congress, award presentations, and as media space after
presidential addresses. This report identifies and categorizes uses of Statuary Hall since 2005.
Use of Statuary Hall is at the discretion of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Under
House Rule I, clause 3, the Speaker has the authority to assign unappropriated rooms on the
House of Representatives side of the Capitol, including Statuary Hall. Use of Statuary Hall could
also be authorized by House resolution, but no events since 2005 have been held in Statuary Hall
on such authority.
Since 2005, 94 events have been held in Statuary Hall. Events held in statuary Hall can be
divided into four categories: (1) receptions and dinners, (2) ceremonies, (3) media events, and (4)
memorial services. The report provides a brief explanation of each category and examples of
activities in each category.
Congressional Research Service
Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
Scheduling Statuary Hall Events ................................................................................................. 1
Events in Statuary Hall, 2005-2011 ............................................................................................. 2
Receptions/Dinners ............................................................................................................... 3
Ceremonies ........................................................................................................................... 3
Media Events ........................................................................................................................ 3
Memorial Services ................................................................................................................ 3
Tables
Table 1. Number of Events Held in Statuary Hall, 2005-2011 ...................................................... 2
Table 2. Events Held in Statuary Hall, by Category ..................................................................... 3
Table A-1. Events Held in Statuary Hall ...................................................................................... 4
Appendixes
Appendix. Events Held in Statuary Hall, 2005-2011 .................................................................... 4
Contacts
Author Contact Information ........................................................................................................ 7
Congressional Research Service
Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Introduction
Between 1819 and 1857, the room currently called Statuary Hall served as the Hall of the House
of Representatives.1 Upon the completion of the current House chamber in 1857, the fate of the
old “Hall of the House” was debated for many years.
Perhaps the simplest was that it be converted into additional space for the Library of
Congress, which was still housed in the Capitol. More drastic was the suggestion that the
entire Hall be dismantled and replaced by two floors of committee rooms. Eventually, the
idea of using the chamber as an art gallery was approved, and works intended for the Capitol
extensions were put on exhibit; among these was the plaster model for the Statue of
Freedom, which was later cast in bronze for the Capitol dome. The lack of wall space
effectively prevented the hanging of large paintings, but the room seemed well suited to the
display of statuary.2
Beginning in November 1879, Statuary Hall was first used for events. The first two events were a
reception and dinner for the Society of the Army of the Cumberland on November 20, 1879,3 and
a ceremony to close the Centennial Safe on November 22, 1879.4
Today, Statuary Hall is the home to many of the statues in the National Statuary Hall collection,
which consists of two statues from each state.5
Scheduling Statuary Hall Events
A room in the House Wing of the Capitol may be reserved in one of two ways: through a chamber
resolution or pursuant to the Speaker’s authority. House Rule I, clause 3 provides the Speaker
with the authority to assign unappropriated rooms (i.e., not already assigned to a committee,
House leadership, or an officer of the House). House Rule I, clause 3 states
Except as otherwise provided by rule or law, the Speaker shall have general control of the
Hall of the House, the corridors and passages in the part of the Capitol assigned to the use of
the House, and the disposal of unappropriated rooms in that part of the Capitol.6
1 U.S. Congress, Architect of the Capitol, “National Statuary Hall,” http://www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/nat_stat_hall.cfm.
2 Ibid.
3 Anson G. McCook, Address Before the Society of the Army of the Cumberland at their Eleventh Reunion,
Washington, November 19, 1879 (Cincinnati: Press of Robert Clarke & Co, 1879).
4 U.S. Congress, Clerk of the House of Representatives, “The Mysterious Centennial Safe of Mrs. Charles F. Deihm,”
Historical Highlights, http://artandhistory.house.gov/highlights.aspx?action=view&intID=505.
5 U.S. Congress, Architect of the Capitol, “About the National Statuary Hall Collection,” http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/
nsh/nsh_coll_origin.cfm. For a list of statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection, see U.S. Congress, Architect of
the Capitol, “Statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection,” http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh/index.cfm. Not all statues
are currently housed in Statuary Hall. Some statues are stored in various halls of the Capitol, including the Crypt, the
Hall of Columns, the Rotunda, the first and second floor of the Senate Wing of the Capitol, and the second floor House
connecting corridor; and in the Capitol Visitor Center.
6 House Rule I, clause 3. U.S. Congress, Constitution, Jefferson’s Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives,
One Hundred Eleventh Congress, prepared by John V. Sullivan, Parliamentarian, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Doc. 110-
162 (Washington: GPO, 2009), § 623, p. 336.
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Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
For rooms jointly controlled by the House and Senate (e.g., the Rotunda and Emancipation Hall),
a concurrent resolution is generally required to authorize use.7
Initially adopted in 1811 to provide the Speaker with approval authority over events in the House
chamber,8 clause 3 was last amended in 1911, to provide the Speaker with control over
unappropriated rooms elsewhere in the House Wing of the Capitol.9 Since 1911, the Speaker has
generally authorized the use of rooms in the House Wing of the Capitol not otherwise
appropriated.10
Events in Statuary Hall, 2005-2011
Since 2005, 94 events have been held in Statuary Hall. The House Sergeant at Arms, whose office
provided data for this report, defines an event as activity that prevents public access to Statuary
Hall for a period of time. As a result, activities such as a brief wreath laying at a particular statue
are not included. Table 1 reports the total number of events held in Statuary Hall during each of
the past seven years. The Appendix provides the date of each event and a brief description.
Table 1. Number of Events Held in Statuary Hall, 2005-2011
Year Number
2005 16
2006 15
2007 16
2008 18
2009 10
2010 15
2011 4
Total 94
Source: CRS Analysis of Sergeant At Arms data.
Notes: 2011 data includes events through March 30, 2011.
7 Since the 101st Congress (1989-1990), only one event was held in the Rotunda without a concurrent resolution: the
lying in state of President Gerald Ford. President Ford died in December 2006, during the recess between the 109th and
110th Congress. The Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader jointly authorized the use of the Rotunda
without a concurrent resolution. For more information on use of the Rotunda, Emancipation Hall, and the Capitol
Grounds, see CRS Report RL34619, Use of the Capitol Rotunda, Capitol Grounds, and Emancipation Hall:
Concurrent Resolutions, 101st to 111th Congress, by Matthew Eric Glassman and Jacob R. Straus.
8 U.S. Congress, Hind’s Precedents of the House of Representatives of the United States, prepared by Asher C. Hinds,
vol. 2 (Washington: GPO, 1907), § 1354, pp. 892-893. The Speaker’s authority to assign rooms in the House Wing of
the Capitol stems from his or her general authority to control the use of the House chamber. For more information, see
“Committee Rooms, &c.,” Annals of the Congress of the United States, vol. 42 (May 26, 1824), p. 2764.
9 U.S. Congress, Cannon’s Precedents of the House of Representatives of the United States, prepared by Clarence
Cannon, vol. 6 (Washington: GPO, 1935), § 261, pp. 424-425. See also, “Recognition Still Remains with the Speaker,”
Congressional Record, vol. 47, part 1 (April 5, 1911), p. 80.
10 U.S. Congress, Hind’s Precedents of the House of Representatives of the United States, prepared by Asher C. Hinds,
vol. 5 (Washington: GPO, 1907), § 7273, p. 1104.
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Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Following receipt of the data from the House Sergeant at Arms, the Congressional Research
Service (CRS) examined the events and divided them into four categories: (1) receptions and
dinners, (2) ceremonies, (3) media events, and (4) memorial services. The following sections
provide a brief explanation of each category and examples of activities. Table 2 reports the
number of events since 2005, by category.
Receptions/Dinners
The largest percentage of events held in Statuary Hall (63%) between 2005 and 2011 were for
receptions or dinners, hosted by both official congressional entities and private groups. For
example, the Joint Congressional Committee on the Inaugural Ceremonies held the Inaugural
Luncheon in Statuary Hall in both 2005 and 2009 and the Capitol Historical Society held a
reception for new Members of Congress in the Hall in 2005.
Ceremonies
Ceremonies account for just over one-quarter of the events held in Statuary Hall since 2005.
These ceremonies include presentations of awards, unveiling of official portraits,
commemorations of event anniversaries, and formal wreath layings. For example, the annual
National Moment of Remembrance is held in Statuary Hall. In addition, prior to moving the
statue to Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center, an annual lei draping ceremony at King
Kamehameha statue was held in Statuary Hall.
Media Events
Statuary Hall has also been occasionally used as the location for media availability, primarily
after a presidential address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber.
Memorial Services
Since 2005, four memorial services for Members of Congress have been held in Statuary Hall: for
Representatives Robert Matsui (January 5, 2005); Juanita Millender-McDonald (May 17, 2007);
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (September 10, 2008); and John P. Murtha (March 30, 2010).
Table 2. Events Held in Statuary Hall, by Category
2005-2011
Category Number
Percentage
of
Total
Receptions / Dinners
59
63
Ceremonies 24 26
Media Events
7
7
Memorial Services
4
4
Total 94
100
Source: CRS Analysis of Sergeant At Arms data.
Notes: 2011 data includes events through March 30, 2011.
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Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Appendix. Events Held in Statuary Hall, 2005-2011
Since January 1, 2005, 94 events have been held in Statuary Hall. Table A-1 contains a
chronological list of these events, the date of the event, and the event type.
Table A-1. Events Held in Statuary Hall
January 5, 2005, to March 30, 2011
Date Event
Type
1/5/2005
Memorial Service for the Late Honorable Robert Matsui
Memorial Service
1/20/2005 Inaugural
Luncheona Ceremony
2/2/2005
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
2/17/2005
Ceremony Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Placement in
Ceremony
Statuary Hall of the Frances E. Willard Statue
3/2/2005
Reception fol owing the Presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal
Reception/Dinner
to Jackie Robinson
3/7/2005
Reception for New Members hosted by the Capitol Historical Society
Reception/Dinner
4/16/2005
Kennedy Center Gala Reception
Reception/Dinner
4/27/2005
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/19/2005
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/29/2005
Memorial Day Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/31/2005
National Moment of Remembrance
Ceremony
6/5/2005
Ford’s Theatre Gala Rehearsal Reception
Reception/Dinner
6/6/2005
King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony
Ceremony
6/7/2005
International Club Reception and Dinner
Reception/Dinner
7/4/2005 July
4th Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
9/22/2005
Reception following the Dedication of the Statue of Po’pay from New
Reception/Dinner
Mexico
1/21/2006
Wreath Laying Ceremony Honoring General Robert E. Lee
Ceremony
1/31/2006
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
3/15/2006 50th Anniversary of Hungarian Democracy with an Address by President Ceremony
George W. Bush
4/27/2006
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/6/2006
Kennedy Center Gala Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/10/2006
U.S. House of Representatives Distinguished Service Award
Ceremony
Presentation Ceremony to Vice President Cheney, Lindy Boggs, and
Father Drinan
5/25/2006
Memorial Day Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/31/2006
National Moment of Remembrance
Ceremony
6/11/2006
King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony
Ceremony
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Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Date Event
Type
6/24/2006
Ford’s Theatre Gala Rehearsal Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/4/2006 July
4th Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/19/2006
Tribute to Retiring Members of Congress sponsored by the Capitol
Reception/Dinner
Historical Society
11/13/2006 Speaker's Reception and Dinner Honoring New Members of the House
Reception/Dinner
11/14/2006 Democratic Leader's New Member Dinner
Reception/Dinner
12/6/2006
Speaker’s Holiday Reception following the Lighting of the Capitol
Reception/Dinner
Christmas Tree on the West Front
1/23/2007
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
3/29/2007
Photo Op with the Tuskegee Airman, President Bush, and the Speaker
Ceremony
prior to the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal in the
Rotundab
4/7/2007
Wreath Laying Ceremony Honoring General Robert E. Lee
Ceremony
5/10/2007
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/17/2007
Memorial Service for the Late Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald
Memorial Service
5/27/2007
Memorial Day Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/31/2007
National Moment of Remembrance
Ceremony
6/2/2007
Speaker hosted Reception and Dinner
Reception/Dinner
6/10/2007
King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony
Ceremony
6/21/2007
2007 Achievement Summit – Academy of Achievement Dinner and
Reception/Dinner
Reception
6/23/2007
Ford’s Theatre Gala Rehearsal Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/4/2007 July
4th Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/17/2007
Reception honoring Dr. Norman Borlaug fol owing the presentation of
Reception/Dinner
the Congressional Gold Medal in the Rotunda
8/25/2007
Wreath Laying Ceremony Honoring Father Junipero Serra
Ceremony
11/30/2007 Kennedy Center Gala Reception
Reception/Dinner
12/4/2007
Presentation of the Freedom Award to former Speaker Thomas Foley
Reception/Dinner
by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society
1/19/2008
Wreath Laying Ceremony Honoring General Robert E. Leec Ceremony
1/28/2008
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
2/14/2008
Memorial Service for the Late Honorable Tom Lantos
Memorial Service
3/5/2008
Reception for the Washington Premiere of the HBO series of “John
Reception/Dinner
Adams” hosted by the Speaker
4/3/2008
Congressional Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
Ceremony
“Renewing the Dream”
4/17/2008
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/21/2008
Congressional Tribute to the Centennial of the Birth of President
Ceremony
Lyndon Johnson
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Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Date Event
Type
5/25/2008
Memorial Day Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/31/2008
National Moment of Remembrance
Ceremony
5/31/2008
Ford’s Theatre Gala Rehearsal Reception
Reception/Dinner
6/8/2008
King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremonyd Ceremony
7/4/2008 July
4th Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
9/10/2008
Memorial Service for the Late Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Memorial Service
9/24/2008
Reception Honoring Retiring Members of the 110th Congress and the
Reception/Dinner
Presentation of the Freedom Award by the Capitol Historical Society
9/24/2008
Reception honoring the Congressional Black Caucus hosted by Speaker
Reception/Dinner
Pelosi and Leader Reid
11/18/2008 Reception for New Members of Congress hosted by the Speaker
Reception/Dinner
12/7/2008
Kennedy Center Honors Reception
Reception/Dinner
12/15/2008 Reception Honoring Rep. John Tanner and NATO Parliamentarians
Reception/Dinner
hosted by the Speaker
1/20/2009 Inaugural
Luncheon
Ceremony
2/10/2009
Celebrating the Honorable John Dingel of Michigan on the Occasion of
Ceremony
Becoming the Longest Serving Member in the History of the U.S. House
of Representatives
2/24/2009
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
5/13/2009
Reception for New Members of Congress hosted by the Capitol
Reception/Dinner
Historical Society
5/24/2009
Memorial Day Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/31/2009
National Moment of Remembrance
Ceremony
6/3/2009
Reception and Dinner honoring Mrs. Ronald Reagan and the Unveiling
Reception/Dinner
of the Statue of President Ronald Reagan
6/16/2009
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/4/2009 July
4th Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/28/2009
Unveiling of the Official Portrait of Speaker J. Dennis Hastert
Ceremony
1/27/2010
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
3/21/2010
Sunday Worship Service for Members of Congress and Congressional
Ceremony
staffe
3/25/2010
Women’s History Event Honoring Secretary Hillary Clinton hosted by
Ceremony
the Speaker
3/30/2010
Memorial Service for the Late Honorable John P. Murtha
Memorial Service
5/30/2010
Memorial Day Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
5/31/2010
National Moment of Remembrance
Ceremony
6/5/2010
Ford’s Theatre Gala Rehearsal Reception
Reception/Dinner
6/15/2010
Association of Former Members of Congress Reception
Reception/Dinner
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Use of National Statuary Hall: Assignment and Historic Events
Date Event
Type
6/24/2010
Ceremony to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the End of the
Ceremony
Korean War
7/4/2010 July
4th Concert Reception
Reception/Dinner
7/24/2010
Reception and Dinner for the Spain/US Council Annual Forum
Reception/Dinner
7/26/2010
Reception honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with
Ceremony
Disabilities Act
11/8/2010
Kennedy Center Gala Reception
Reception/Dinner
11/8/2010
Kennedy Center Reception Honoring the 2010 Recipient of the Mark
Reception/Dinner
Twain Award
11/14/2010 Reception hosted by Leader Boehner for Republican New Members
Reception/Dinner
1/25/2011
Media Availability for Members of Congress following a Presidential
Media Event
Address before a Joint Session of Congress
3/9/2011
Reception to Welcome Members of the 112th Congress hosted by the
Reception/Dinner
Capitol Historical Society
3/24/2011 150th Anniversary of the Congressional Medal of Honor
Reception/Dinner
3/30/2011 40th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus
Reception/Dinner
Source: U.S. Congress, Office of the House Sergeant at Arms
a. Inaugural lunches are hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on the Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC).
The first luncheon in Statuary Hall was held in 1953 for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
b. The Gold Medal Ceremony for the Tuskegee Airman was held in the Rotunda (see S.Con.Res. 15, 110th
Congress). In addition to being used for photo opportunities, Statuary Hal was used as an overflow room
for the Gold Medal Ceremony.
c. The Robert E. Lee statue was moved to the Capitol Crypt in 2008.
d. The King Kamehameha statue was moved to the Capitol Visitor Center’s (CVC) Emancipation Hal in 2009.
The Lei Draping ceremony was moved to the CVC beginning in June 2009.
e. The worship service held in Statuary Hal was in conjunction with a Sunday session of the House
[Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 156 (March 21, 2010), pp. H1819-H1890].
Author Contact Information
Jacob R. Straus
Matthew Eric Glassman
Analyst on the Congress
Analyst on the Congress
jstraus@crs.loc.gov, 7-6438
mglassman@crs.loc.gov, 7-3467
Congressional Research Service
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