MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
May 14, 2021
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
Today, I am transmitting to the Council of the District of Columbia for its consideration and
approval the African American Civil War Museum Installation of the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of
Freedom Emancipation Statue Approval Resolution of 2021. Please find enclosed a copyofthe
proposed resolution proposing a commemorative work; the installation ofthe Abraham Lincoln
Spirit of Freedom Emancipation Statue at Grimke on the public space adjacent to the African
American Civil War Museum (AACWM), located in the historic Archibald Grimke School at
1925 Vermont Avenue, NW.
The Museum has filed the necessary paperwork to obtain a permit from the Department of
Transportation (DDOT) to install the statue, and the Commemorative Works Committee voted
on the matter at its April 30, 2021 meeting and recommended favorable disposition of the
proposed statue in the public space adjacent to the African American Civil War Museum at 1925
Vermont Avenue NW.
As you are aware, the Duke Plan calls for the combining of the African American Civil War
Memorial and the Grimke Development across Vermont Avenue to further create the African
American Civil War Memorial Plaza. The AACWM is working with the District's Department
of Transportation (DDOT) and OfficeofPlanning to erect the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of
Freedom Emancipation statute which is designed to create a sightline across Vermont Avenue
from the Memorial to the Museum at Grimke which is currently under construction. In July
2020, the statue was delivered to the museum for installation in frontofthe museum at Grimke
where it will rest on a podium adorned by ceremonial steps.
For these reasons set forth above, I urge the Council to take prompt and favorable action on the
enclosed resolution.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact Andrew Trueblood, Director of
the Office of Planning at (202) 442-7636.
Sincerely,
furil Owser
Maygr
Enclosures
frairman Phil Mendelson
at the request ofthe Mayor
A RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To approve the installation ofacommemorative work, to be known as the Abraham
Lincoln Spirit of Freedom Emancipation Statue, on the public space adjacent to
the African American Civil War Museum located at 1925 Vermont Avenue N.W..
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That
this resolution may be cited as the African American Civil War Museum Installation of
22 the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of Freedom Emancipation Statue Approval Resolution of
23 2021.
24 Sec. 2. Pursuant to section 401ofthe Street and Alley Closing and Acquisition
25 Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official Code
26 9-204.01) (Act), the Council approves the installation ofa commemorative work, to
27 be known as the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of Freedom Emancipation Statue, on public
28 space adjacent to the African American Civil War Muscum, located on the historic
29 Archibald Grimke School at 1925 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
30 Sec. 3. Transmittal. The Council shall transmit a copy of this resolution, upon its
31 adoption, to the Mayor and the African American Civil War Museum.
32 Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement,
33 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statementofthe Chief Financial Officer as,
34 the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures
35 Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code 1-
36 301.474).
37 Sec. 5. Effective date.
38 This resolution shall take effect immediately.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL,
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Kart A. RACINE kkk
Legal Counsel Division
MEMORANDUM
TO: Ronan Gulstone
Director
Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs
FROM: Brian K. Flowers
Deputy Attorney General
Legal Counsel Division
DATE: May 14, 2021
RE: African American Civil War Museum Installation of the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of
Freedom Emancipation Statue Approval Resolution of 2021
(AE-21-898)
This is to Certify that this ontice has reviewed the resolution entitled the
African American Civil War Museum Installation of the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of Freedom
Emancipation Statue Approval Resolution of 2021 and determined that it is legally sufficient, If
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 724-5524,
Buan K. Flowue
Brian K. Flowers
Government of the District of Columbia
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
xk *
BEE
EE]
Fitzroy Lee
InterimChief Financial Officer
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman, Council ofthe District of Columbia
FROM: Fitzroy Lee
InterimChief Financial Officer AHa~lew
DATE: May 14, 2021
SUBJECT: Fiscal Impact Statement - African American Civil War Museum
Installationofthe Abraham Lincoln Spirit of Freedom Emancipation
Statue Approval Resolution of 2021
REFERENCE: Draft bill provided to the Office of Revenue Analysis on May 14, 2021
Conclusion
Funds are sufficient in the fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2024 budget and financial plan to
implement the bill
Background
The bill authorizes the installationof a public art installation known as the Abraham Lincoln Spirit of
Freedom Emancipation Statue at 1925 Vermont Avenue N.W,, in frontofthe Grimke Building, as part
of the African American Civil War Memorial Museum Grimke Development.
Financial Plan Impact
Funds are sufficient in the fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2024 budget and financial plan to
implement the bill. There are no costs to the District; the installation is funded privately.
*http: afroameivilwar.org/news-events/press-releases/206-african-american-civil-war-museum-
D f
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 203, Washington, DC 20004 (202)727-2476
www.cfo.degov