December 18 - Congressman Zach Wamp was invited to the White House today for his first private bill signing ceremony in the Oval Office. President George Bush signed into law legislation that Congressman Wamp sponsored to officially name the great hall in the new U.S. Capitol Visitors Center ‘Emancipation Hall.’

The Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) will be an extension of the Capitol that welcomes visitors to the seat of American government and is expected to open in November 2008. At nearly 580,000 square feet, the CVC is the largest project in the Capitol’s 212-year history and is approximately three quarters the size of the Capitol itself. Emancipation Hall will be the largest room in the Capitol.

“It is really the right thing to do and the right time in history. It really speaks to freedom. When slaves were emancipated, it was a defining moment in our history. It also honors the slaves that built the Capitol,” said Congressman Wamp.

Congressman Wamp worked with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois on this bill to memorialize the country’s struggle against slavery and honor the slaves who helped build the Capitol.

Congressman Jackson said, “I was honored to work with Congressman Wamp in championing legislation designating the great hall of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center as ‘Emancipation Hall.’ As the future entryway and focal point of the CVC, Emancipation Hall will stand as a memorial to our nation’s struggle and progression from slavery to freedom.”

Congressman Wamp’s bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on November 14 and the U.S. Senate on December 6.

“It does matter what we call things. This will be the largest room in the Capitol and will ensure that future generations of Americans will think about the process of freedom,” said Congressman Wamp. “We have Independence Hall, Freedom Hall and now Emancipation Hall to honor movements, processes and principles throughout our nation’s history.”