WHEREAS, The President’s House Memorial was established in 2010 following a campaign led by the Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), which called upon the National Park Service and Independence National Historic Park to formally recognize and commemorate the nine African descendants enslaved by President George Washington at the President’s House - Ona Judge, Moll, Austin, Hercules, Richmond, Giles, Paris, Christopher Sheels, and Joe; and
WHEREAS, In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive directive ordering the removal of factual materials at National Historic Sites that presented critical historical context regarding early American leaders; and
WHEREAS, This directive resulted in the removal of the President’s House Memorial on January 21, 2026; and
WHEREAS, In response, ATAC mobilized, undertaking legal action and public advocacy efforts including litigation, public demonstrations, petitions, and media engagement; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Brendan Boyle introduced H.R. 7763, the “Protecting American History Act,” which would direct the Secretary of the Interior to restore interpretive and educational exhibits at Independence National Historical Park; and
WHEREAS, The Act would requires the Secretary of the Interior to restore the exhibit to its original condition within 15 days of enactment and prohibits the Secretary from adding, removing, destroying, or otherwise altering the exhibit without the express authorization of Congress; and
WHEREAS, This bipartisan legislation is necessary to prevent any further attempt to whitewash Philadelphia’s complex history as we prepare to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial; and
WHEREAS, The inclusion of this history at National Historic Sites ensures a fuller, more honest narrative of our nation, and acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans whose stories have often been ignored or erased; and
WHEREAS, This legislative body is committed to preserving and amplifying the voices and histories of its diverse communities, and stands firmly with ATAC and Congressman Brendan Boyle, among others, in the effort to restore The President’s House Memorial; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby urges the United States
Congress to pass the "Protecting American History Act", which would prevent any further attempt by the federal government to whitewash Philadelphia's complex history and require the restoration of the President's House Memorial.
End