(WXYZ) — Michigan's Democratic Congressional Delegation says the statue of Lewis Cass in the U.S. Capitol should be replaced.
The delegation consists of U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, as well as U.S. Representatives Dan Kildee, Debbie Dingell, Brenda Lawrence, Andy Levin, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens and Rashida Tlaib.
“As Michiganders, we respect our state’s history while acknowledging that our past has many painful chapters. We owe it to ourselves, and future generations, to constantly pursue a more inclusive society, where all Michiganders feel welcome and respected. We believe that when it comes to statues on display in the U.S. Capitol, they should represent the best of our state. Our State Legislature should act to replace the statue of Lewis Cass.”
On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order to rename the Lewis Cass Building in downtown Lansing to the "Elliott-Larsen Building" in honor of the 1977 bill signed by Gov. William Milliken.
The statue of Lewis Cass was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Michigan in 1889.
