The National Mall Liberty Fund DC, Inc. (Liberty Fund DC) was incorporated in the District of Columbia to secure a site in the nation's capital for a memorial to forgotten soldiers, patriots and freedom seekers of the Revolutionary War.
To honor...
The National Liberty Memorial will honor --
- between 5,000 and 10,000 enslaved Americans and free persons of African descent, who volunteered to serve as soldiers and sailors during the American Revolution;
- slaves and free persons who rendered civilian assistance in the cause of Independence;
- tens of thousands of slaves who ran away to freedom; and
- men, women, and children who petitioned state courts and legislatures for liberty.
The work ahead...
Congress will consider bipartisan legislation introduced in the 112th Congress to authorize the National Liberty Memorial. Companion bills are pending in the Senate (S. 883) by Senators Joseph Lieberman (CT) and Charles Grassley (IA) and in the House (H.R. 2181) by Representatives Donald Payne (N.J.) and Frank Wolf (VA).
Once approved, several available sites must be assessed cooperatively among the stakeholders. The Secretary of the Interior makes the initial decision based upon a recommendation of the Memorial Commission. The final decision must be approved by two additional agencies. The Secretary and multiple agencies, again, must review and approve a final design.
Within seven years of enactment, all funds must be raised from private sources -- citizens, school children, corporations and organizations.
No Federal funds may be used for construction.
