The Freedom From Religion Foundation today is applauding bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., to secure placement of a Thomas Paine memorial in Area I of Washington’s monumental core, where some of the nation’s most significant founders and historical figures are honored.
The timely bill comes as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of its founding.
Placement in Area I, reserved for the small number of Americans whose contributions are judged of preeminent and lasting significance to the country, requires an act of Congress. For Paine, whose words gave the Revolution its voice, supporters say the distinction is overdue.
“Tom Paine, the extraordinary and indispensable patriot of the American Revolution and spellbinding exponent of democratic freedom, catalyzed our emerging nation to rise up against tyranny, monarchy and taxation without representation to conceive of a new nation based on religious liberty, freedom of thought, and democratic self-governance in service of the common good. On the 250th anniversary of the publication of Common Sense, our legislation finally brings the great Tom Paine from the attics and libraries of history to a place of shining prominence on our National Mall, establishing the dazzling national memorial he deserves.” — Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we remember Thomas Paine’s timeless words: ‘These are the times that try men’s souls,’ which helped rally General Washington’s army before the crossing of the Delaware — a pivotal moment that changed the course of the Revolution. Their sacrifices should remind us of the price so many Americans paid to secure our freedom — a precious gift we have a solemn duty to preserve for future generations.” — Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind.
Paine arrived in the colonies from England barely a year before the American Revolution and became one of the most widely read writers of his age. He served in the Continental Army, and his pamphlets reached ordinary people in taverns and on street corners in numbers unheard of at the time. Beyond the case for independence, Paine opposed slavery, called for the universal education of both men and women, and was among the first to imagine a league of democratic nations. He even lent his hand to science and engineering, helping design an iron bridge. Yet despite his enormous influence, including coining the term “United States of America,” Paine has lacked a memorial in Washington, D.C.
“Without Thomas Paine, the United States of America would not be celebrating its 250th anniversary. Nothing will be a more fitting tribute to our nation’s semiquincentennial than ensuring that this overdue memorial to Paine will be prominently situated near the Capitol and National Mall, where Paine’s life, words and vision will inspire millions of visitors.” — Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president, Freedom From Religion Foundation
Thomas Paine gave this country its argument for independence and then took up a musket in the Continental Army to help win it. He sold half a million copies of ‘Common Sense’ when the nation was still an idea, and George Washington had ‘The American Crisis’ read aloud to the troops before they crossed the Delaware. Paine opposed slavery, called for the education of every child, and imagined a brotherhood of free nations long before the world was ready for it. Paine was a hero to Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass. For 250 years the capital he helped bring into being has had no memorial to him. We intend to correct that, and Area I is exactly where he belongs.” — Margaret Downey, president, Thomas Paine Memorial Association.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has worked alongside the Thomas Paine Memorial Association throughout the effort to honor Paine, a founder who championed reason, democracy and human liberty.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 41,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
