Bill Overview
Title: To direct the Librarian of Congress to obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia and install the panel among the stained glass panels depicting the seals of States, which overlook the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
Description: This bill requires the Librarian of Congress, concurrently with the planned renovation and replacement of existing glass panels, to obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia and install it among the panels depicting the seals of states that overlook the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: People interested in or associated with symbolic representation at the Library of Congress
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill directly impacts those visiting or working in the Library of Congress, specifically in the Main Reading Room of the Thomas Jefferson Building.
- It acknowledges the significance of the District of Columbia by including its seal among those of the states.
- Tourists and visitors to the Library of Congress will notice and potentially learn about the inclusion of the District of Columbia.
- The change can enhance the representation of the District of Columbia, impacting residents' perception of their inclusion in national symbols.
Reasoning
- This policy is relatively low-cost and focuses on symbolic representation, so its impact on direct wellbeing metrics is likely modest. Nevertheless, providing better representation for D.C. can subtly enhance the feelings of inclusion and acknowledgment for residents and frequent visitors.
- Given its symbolic nature, the primary estimated demographic to be affected includes D.C. residents and those with an interest in national symbolism, such as tourists and scholars.
- The high projected commonness score for most of these interviews indicates that most Americans would not notice direct changes to their wellbeing from such a policy, except in terms of broader symbolic recognition.
Simulated Interviews
Historian (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 44 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's high time that our nation's capital gets proper representation within such a prestigious national symbol.
- This addition will promote greater understanding and appreciation of D.C.'s role in American history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Tourist (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a frequent tourist to D.C., I'm excited to see this symbolic inclusion. It will make my visits to the Library more interesting.
- Such updates encourage learning and respect for all areas represented by the Library.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Government official (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The panel will serve as an immediate, visible recognition of D.C.'s importance in the national narrative.
- It strengthens D.C.'s claim for fair representation in other governmental areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Inclusivity in national monuments is important to me; I believe this is a step towards that direction.
- While I won't feel a personal change, it's an improvement for society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's gratifying to see my city being recognized alongside states, since this can enhance civic pride.
- Though primarily symbolic, this is a powerful acknowledgment of D.C.'s significance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Architect (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While my work focuses on space and not symbolism, I appreciate the aesthetic enhancement a stained glass addition can bring.
- It's a small detail, but these are what make historical places special.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate student (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Library is like a second home, and seeing D.C. represented properly would make a difference in how I perceive the space.
- Beyond books, libraries are about representation and inclusion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Understanding that D.C. often gets overlooked, this decision is a positive gesture.
- Though I may not feel a personal change, it enhances the inclusivity of such symbols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Museum curator (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I recognize the importance of symbols in culture, and including more representation is always the right step.
- It won't affect my professional life significantly, but it supports what I stand for.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelance writer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a subtle but respectful change, representing better inclusivity.
- Not something that will change my day-to-day, but important for cultural equity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary purpose is symbolic representation rather than economic impact.
- Costs are linked to artistic and architectural elements, not ongoing operational expenses.
- The project is tied to other renovation efforts, possibly reducing standalone installation costs.