Washington, D.C. - September 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In a letter sent to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, House Representative John Katko (R-NY, 24th) reiterated his call to memorialize Harriet Tubman’s likeness on the $20 bill and urged the Administration to formally move forward with the designation.
“I have long stated the need for U.S. currency to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of American women, and applauded last year’s decision to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill,” said U.S. Rep. John Katko. “Auburn is a place that Harriet Tubman once called home, and Central New York is proud to showcase and celebrate her amazing legacy. Today, I reiterated to the current Administration the importance of memorializing Harriet Tubman’s legacy, courage, and commitment to others on the $20 bill and urged Treasury to move forward with this designation.”
During the 114th Congress, Rep. Katko and Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-7) introduced The Harriet Tubman Tribute Act, bipartisan legislation to require the Secretary of the Treasury to place Harriet Tubman’s likeness on a Federal Reserve Note.
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The text of Rep. Katko’s letter can be found below.
The Honorable Steven Mnuchin
United States Secretary of the Treasury
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Secretary Mnuchin,
I respectfully express my support for memorializing Harriet Tubman's likeness on the $20 bill. Moving forward with this decision is a fitting tribute to a woman who escaped slavery and devoted her life to advancing the freedom and equality of African Americans and the rights of women.
As you may know, Harriet Tubman resided for many years in Auburn, New York, a city which I am privileged to represent and a community that is proud to celebrate her legacy. The city of Auburn continually looks for ways to preserve her extraordinary life’s work and through the hard work of many local advocates, Harriet Tubman’s home in Auburn was recently designated as a National Historic Park. Last Congress, Representative Elijah Cummings and I introduced legislation that would have required the Treasury to put Harriet Tubman’s likeness on a fiscal note. I was very pleased to see action taken in this regard when former Secretary Lew announced a decision in April 2016.
I invite you to pay a visit to Auburn so that you can fully experience the legacy of Harriet Tubman. Her life has inspired countless individuals and continues to be a beacon of hope and unity for many. It is only fitting that we honor this American hero by memorializing her likeness on the $20 bill. Thank you for consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
John Katko
Member of Congress
Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County.
