Bill > SP0332

This joint resolution honors Frederick Douglass, a prominent African American abolitionist, orator, and civil rights leader who was born into slavery in 1818 in Maryland. The resolution traces Douglass's remarkable journey from enslavement to freedom, highlighting his self-education, escape to New York, and subsequent work as a powerful speaker and advocate for abolition. It details his significant contributions, including helping people escape via the Underground Railroad, publishing his autobiographies, running an anti-slavery newspaper called The North Star, and advising President Lincoln during the Civil War. The resolution also notes his later political service, including roles as United States Marshal for the District of Columbia and Minister to Haiti, and emphasizes his multiple speaking engagements in Maine, where he was welcomed and appreciated. Particularly notable is his lifelong friendship with Oren Cheney, the founder of Bates College and a fellow abolitionist. By recognizing Douglass's extraordinary life and achievements, the resolution celebrates his pivotal role in the fight for racial equality and human rights in the United States.

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?paper=SP0332&snum=132