; Whereas Mary McLeod Bethune’s advocacy continued with her founding of the National Council of Negro Women and her appointment as Director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Whereas through her position as the highest ranking African-American woman in the Federal Government, Mary McLeod Bethune was able to assist African-American youth in finding employment and worked with the Women’s Army Corps during World War II to recruit African-American female officers; Whereas upon her death in 1955, Mary McLeod Bethune’s inspirational leadership was praised by many, including former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who lauded her wisdom and her goodness ; Whereas in 1995, the United States National Park Service established the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site in Washington, DC, which has preserved the townhouse that was once her personal residence and the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women; Whereas Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy continues to be felt in Florida through the continued success of Bethune-Cookman University, whose enrollment is currently approaching a record high of 4,000 students; Whereas Mary McLeod Bethune’s significant contributions to advance equality for all persons represent the highest ideals of America; Whereas, on March 19, 2018, the Florida legislature passed, and the Governor of Florida signed into law, legislation authorizing the placement of a statue memorializing Mary McLeod Bethune in the National Statuary Hall collection; and Whereas Mary McLeod Bethune’s significant contributions to advance equality for all persons represent the highest ideals of America, and her statue deserves permanent placement in a location within the Capitol complex that has high public visibility in order to inspire future generations of Americans: Now, therefore, be it