Assembly Bill No. 267–Assemblymen de Braga, Gibbons, Dini, Cegavske, Anderson, Bache, Berman, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Chowning, Claborn, Freeman, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Manendo, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Oceguera, Parks, Parnell, Price, Smith, Von Tobel and Williams

 

March 2, 2001

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Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

 

SUMMARY—Provides for creation of statue of Sarah Winnemucca for placement in National Statuary Hall Collection in United States Capitol. (BDR S‑695)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: Contains Appropriation not included in Executive Budget.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

AN ACT relating to the National Statuary Hall Collection; providing for the creation of a statue of Sarah Winnemucca for placement in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

   Whereas, In 1864, Congress established The National Statuary Hall in the Old Hall of the House of Representatives in the United States Capitol and authorized each state to contribute two statues of its distinguished citizens to the National Statuary Hall; and

   Whereas, Forty-six states have contributed two statues each of its distinguished citizens and of those 96 statues only 6 are women; and

   Whereas, In 1960, Nevada contributed a statue of United States Senator Patrick A. McCarran to the National Statuary Hall Collection; and

   Whereas, Nevada is one of four states that has only contributed one such statue and is entitled to contribute one additional statue; and

   Whereas, Sarah Winnemucca was born near the Humboldt River in Nevada in 1844; and

   Whereas, Sarah Winnemucca was the daughter of Chief Winnemucca and the granddaughter of the redoubtable Chief Truckee of the Northern Paiute Tribe who led John C. Fremont and his men across the Great Basin to California; and

   Whereas, Sarah was raised and educated in part in the household of Major and Mrs. William Ormsby of Carson City; and

   Whereas, Sarah, before her 14th birthday, had acquired five languages, including three Indian dialects, Spanish and English, and was one of only two Northern Paiutes in Nevada at the time who was able to read, write and speak English; and

   Whereas, Sarah was an intelligent and respected woman who served as an interpreter for the United States Army and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and served as an aide, scout, peacemaker and interpreter for General O. O. Howard during the Bannock War of 1878, in Idaho; and

   Whereas, In 1883, Sarah published Life Among the Paiutes: Their Wrongs and Claims, the first book written and published by a Native American woman; and

   Whereas, Sarah became a tireless spokeswoman for the Northern Paiute Tribe and in 1879, gave more than 300 speeches throughout the United States concerning the plight of her people; and

   Whereas, Sarah established a nongovernmental school for Paiute children near Lovelock, Nevada, that operated for 3 years and became a model for future educational facilities for Native American children; and

   Whereas, Sarah met with President Rutherford B. Hayes and addressed Congress concerning the return of the Northern Paiute Tribe to its homeland in Nevada; and

   Whereas, Sarah, in fighting for justice, peace and equality for all persons represented the highest ideals of America and is hereby recognized as a distinguished citizen of Nevada; now, therefore,

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

   Section 1.  1.  There is hereby created a committee for the creation of a statue of Sarah Winnemucca for placement in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol.

   2.  The committee consists of:

   (a) Two members who are representatives of the general public appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate;

   (b) Two members who are representatives of the general public appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly; and

   (c) Two members who are representatives of the general public appointed by the Governor.

   3.  The committee shall:

   (a) Choose an artist to create the statue; and

   (b) Approve the design of the statue.

   4.  The members of the committee serve without compensation and are not entitled to receive a per diem allowance or travel expenses.

   Sec. 2. 1.  The Department of Museums, Library and Arts shall:

   (a) Provide the clerical and administrative personnel for the committee;

   (b) Enter into a contract with the artist chosen by the committee and ensure that the statue is completed in a timely manner; and

   (c) Comply with the provisions established by Congress for placement of the statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol.

   2.  The Department of Museums, Library and Arts may accept gifts and grants in support of this project.

   Sec. 3.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the state general fund to the Department of Museums, Library and Arts the sum of $100,000 for the commissioning of a statue of Sarah Winnemucca and any other costs relating to the placement and unveiling of the statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol.

   2.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1 of this act must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2005, and reverts to the state general fund as soon as all payments of money committed have been made.

1-1    Sec. 4.  This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.

 

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