Republican members of Congress have introduced companion resolutions urging the newly opened Smithsonian musem of African-American history to include the achievements of Justice Clarence Thomas, the second (and currently only) black member of the Supreme Court.
“His omission from the National Museum of African American History and Culture is troubling and reflects a disregard for the historical significance of his service to our country,” said Texas senator John Cornyn, who introduced the resolution along with five other Senate Republicans. In the House, congressman Buddy Carter and Pete Sessions have authored a similar resolution.
“In a museum designed to highlight American values like resiliency and optimism, Justice Thomas’ background and accomplishments should be highlighted as a representation of overcoming adversity to reach great heights,” said Carter, a Georgia congressman who represents the Savannah area where Thomas grew up. “It is a disservice to his legacy and to the history of this nation to mention his name in a single caption, but provide no exhibit sharing and preserving his remarkable story and critical contributions to our judicial system. Justice Thomas’ contributions to America, his unique life story, and strongly held convictions should be shared and celebrated and I will not give up until the Smithsonian properly recognizes and shares this important part of history.”
As Adam J. White wrote for THE WEEKLY STANDARD when the museum first opened this fall, Thomas’s absence is made all the worse by what was included in the museum:
