Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on Plan to Honor Harriet Tubman on the New $20 Bill
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, released this statement on news that Harriet Tubman would replace President Andrew Jackson on the U.S. twenty dollar bill:
“Adding Harriet Tubman to the $20 bill is a fitting honor for a woman who stood against injustice and put her life on the line to deliver more than 300 people to freedom.
Harriet Tubman was born a slave but by the time of her death, she was regarded as one of our nation’s most iconic and inspirational leaders. She was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a Union spy and nurse, a suffragist, and a leader of the raid at Combahee Ferry, which liberated hundreds of slaves.
Throughout her life, she consistently fought back against the evils of slavery, oppression, racism, sexism and injustice.
It is clear that Harriet Tubman more than deserves the tremendous honor of having her portrait on the $20 bill.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Secretary of the Treasury, Jack Lew, and Treasurer of the United States, Rosie Gumataotao Rios, for their dedication to ensuring that women and people of color are represented on our nation’s currency.
I hope that this trend of adding deserving women and people of color continues. It is past time that our paper money reflects America’s proud and diverse history.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.