I recently posted an article on my blog about the Congress authorizing a panel to create a memorial to slave labor in the new Capitol Building Visitor's Center. The story references the Office of the Architect of the Capitol as a source.
The Architect of the Capitol, Alan Hartman, FAIA, retired on February 4, 2007. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by Congress January 30, 1997. His retirement caused a vacancy that has been temporarily filled by Stephen Ayres, under whom the office has seen some controversy.
Due to this vacancy, Congress is required to send three recommended nominees for the position from the Senate Rules and Administration Commission, (chaired by Sen. Diane Feinstein). The President then selects from these nominees, or other deemed more appropriate for the position.
The selection process for this position has the American Institute of Architects (AIA) up in arms, because they have gotten wind that at least one candidate selected as a nominee is not a certified Architect. Let’s hope that the process is acted upon quickly.
Of late, it seems the operation of the Architect of the Capitol is moving in a very extreme liberal direction with the takeover of the new Democratic Congress, and the promotion of Mr. Ayres.
Not only is the new Visitor’s Center being polished for a memorial dedication to slave labor based upon a few past records of the Capitol’s Architectural ledger, but the Office of the Architect of the Capitol was also the body which decided it would strictly enforce that no religious symbols or phrases would be permitted on flag certificates or plaques anymore.
The office of the Architect of the Capitol is responsible for taking the requests of individuals for certificates of authenticity on flags flown over the U.S. Capitol. These requests by individuals must be made to members of Congress, who then forward them to the Office of the Architect of the Capitol.
The Architect of the Capitol under Mr. Ayres agreed to certify the authenticity of flags flown over the Capitol, however, refused to put any religious symbols or phrases on the certificates or plaques even if requested by the recipient.
This created quite a stir by Republican Representatives and their constituents, and the Democratic Congress, (specifically Speaker Pelosi), who oversees the office was forced to review and overturn Mr. Ayres decision.
I could not find who the new nominees are for this office, (Congress and the President are being very quiet about it). I also could not find if action had been taken on a new Architect of the Capitol.
But, it is my hope that the nominee selected will be conservative, so that religious tolerance and First Amendment rights will still apply to Christians requesting flag certifications or plaques with spiritual or religious dedications.
However, there seems to be renewed intent for this dedication to slave labor pushed by the Democratic Congress! Won't it be wonderful when the millions of people from all over the world see upon visiting the Capitol Visitors Center how much can be accomplished by Americans when using slave labor! Won't that make them give a huge round of applause for our country?
