Actions

Commission votes unanimously to remove Lee statue from U.S Capitol

Robert E. Lee from National Statuary Hall.jpg
Robert E. Lee
Alexander Hamilton Stephens
Posted at 11:21 AM, Jul 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-24 12:04:55-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol voted unanimously to remove the Robert E. Lee from National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

The Commission made its recommendation following a virtual public meeting hosted by the Department of Historic Resources.

Governor Ralph Northam, who testified before the Commission in favor of removing the statue, applauded the decision Friday.

“The Robert E. Lee statue does not tell our full and true story, and it has never represented all Virginians,” said Governor Northam. “I commend the Commission’s righteous decision to remove this relic from the halls of Congress and replace it with a new statue that embodies the inclusive Commonwealth we aspire to be.”

Northam will transmit the Commission’s decision to the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress and request the immediate removal of the Lee statue.

The Commission will now work to recommend a replacement for the Lee statue in National Statuary Hall Collection and recommend it to the General Assembly.

The Commission is required to hold at least one public hearing prior to making any recommendation to the General Assembly on a new statue.

The replacement must be "a prominent Virginia citizen of historic renown or renowned for distinguished civil or military."

Stay with CBS 6 for the latest on this developing story.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.