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Minutes for SB39 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Directing the capitol preservation committee to develop and approve plans for a mural honoring the 1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry regiment.
Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 25, 2023
Jason Long, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, gave an overview of the bill. SB39 would amend K.S.A. 75-2264 to establish a fund for a mural to honor the1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry regiment, and directs the Capitol Preservation Committee to develop and approve the mural for display in the statehouse. Moneys for the fund will come from grants, gifts, bequests, and other donations.
The Chairman called for proponent testimony of the bill.
Proponent oral testimony
Senator Bowers spoke as a proponent of the bill. She stated the bill would approve plans to have a mural created and placed inside the State Capitol honoring the 1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry regiment. She referred the Committee to the Final Report of the Capitol Preservation Committee and to the minutes dated October 25, 2022 for an in-depth review of the project, outlining the timeline dating back to 2000. She stated, "It certainly seems far past the time to finish this mural and SB39 is the first step in the Senate to start the process. (Attachment 4)
Patrick Zollner, Kansas Historical Society, and Chair, Capitol Preservation Committee, spoke as a proponent of the bill. Mr. Zollner explained the 1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry regiment holds a distinctive place in Kansas and the nation's Civil War experience. "Kansas was the first northern state to recruit, train, and send Black soldiers into combat during the war between the states." He explained legislation passed in 2000 authorized two state agencies to develop plans for a mural honoring the regiment, but were delayed until after the capitol restoration. Later legislation eliminated those committees. He stated SB39 would allow a project that was started over twenty years ago to finally be completed. (Attachment 5)
Scott J. Schneider, private citizen, spoke as a proponent of the bill. He stated he supports the bill because "it tells a uniquely Kansas story that deserves to be told and retold". He explained the 1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry is what "brought the underground railroad above ground" and they defended it with "grit, guns and their lives." He stated SB39 should pass, and Kansas should be proud of those who sacrificed to found our State in decency. (Attachment 6)
Proponents providing written testimony:
Representative Brad Boyd, 49th District, Secretary, Kansas African American Legislative Caucus (Attachment 7)
There was no neutral nor opponent testimony.
Following each conferee's testimony, there was a period of questions and answers.
Seeing no more questions, the Chairman closed the hearing on SB39, and adjourned the meeting at 11:18 am.
