Bill Overview
Title: A bill to direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol and to obtain a bust of Thurgood Marshall for installation in the Capitol or on the Capitol Grounds, and for other purposes.
Description: This act directs the Joint Committee on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and install a bust of Thurgood Marshall in a prominent location in the Capitol or on the Capitol Grounds. In determining the location for the permanent installation of the bust of Thurgood Marshall, the committee shall give priority to identifying an appropriate location near the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol.
Sponsors: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Target Audience
Population: People who visit the U.S. Capitol or engage with its historical narratives
Estimated Size: 7000000
- Removing the bust of Roger Brooke Taney will impact how American history and its associated cultural values are displayed in the Capitol.
- The installation of Thurgood Marshall's bust will reflect and celebrate civil rights advancements.
- Roger B. Taney is historically associated with the Dred Scott decision, which upheld slavery and is viewed as a negative mark in U.S. history, particularly concerning civil rights.
- Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice and a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, notably for his role in the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
- Capitol visitors, including citizens and international tourists, will see the change, influencing their understanding of American history and current values.
Reasoning
- The policy involves a symbolic change in the Capitol, not a direct impact such as financial, educational, or healthcare benefits. Therefore, it's challenging to simulate direct wellbeing improvements in financial terms for the individuals surveyed.
- The policy may impact people's perceptions and emotional connections to national history and modern values around civil rights and historical commemorations.
- The budget is primarily for the physical act of bust removal and installation; thus it may support employment during the construction and installation period, but this impact is likely limited.
- Given the symbolic nature of the policy, the direct impact on Cantril wellbeing scores may vary depending on an individual's value systems, perspectives on history, and national identity.
Simulated Interviews
History Professor (Washington DC)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change is significant as it corrects a historical wrong by replacing Taney with Thurgood Marshall, a figure of progress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Civil Rights Attorney (New York)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing Thurgood Marshall honored refines America's dedication to civil rights.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Military (Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I'm not against the change, I believe it's more symbolic than substantial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Graduate Student in Political Science (California)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Marshall's bust will serve as an inspiration for all visitors and resonates with today's societal progress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School History Teacher (Kentucky)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- School trips will have greater educational value discussing Marshall rather than Taney.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Museum Curator (Louisiana)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changing the bust is an important step in contextualizing history for visitors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Social Worker (Michigan)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having Marshall's legacy visibly honored helps affirm societal equality.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tour Guide (Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Thurgood Marshall adds a modern human rights perspective to the tour narratives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Public Policy Analyst (Illinois)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This action signals an ongoing commitment to civil rights, impacting both policy perception and public education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (Georgia)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Thurgood Marshall's bust gives students like me a proud example of transformative justice.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
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 policy aims to update the representation of historical figures in the Capitol to emphasize civil rights achievements.
- Logistical challenges include ensuring minimal disruption to Capitol operations during the removal and installation process.
- The proposal aligns with broader cultural efforts to recognize contributions of diverse historical figures.