Press Releases

Detroit, MI – House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) released the following statement after the Architect of the Capitol removed Untitled #1, the winning entry from Missouri’s 1st congressional district in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition following criticism of the artwork by Speaker Ryan and several GOP Members of Congress:

“As the Dean of Congress and Ranking Member for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, I am disappointed to learn that the Architect of the Capitol -- supported by the Speaker of the House and various Republican Members -- would act to take down this award winning artwork  which has been hanging in the Capitol for months.  This shameful after-the-fact censorship is a clear violation of First Amendment rights.  This action taking place within the Capitol complex is particularly troubling, since as Members, we are sworn to uphold the Constitution. I will be working with Congressman Lacy Clay, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond, Congressman Jamie Raskin and other Members as we seek to rectify this clear infringement on a student’s rights.”