# Plain Language Summary: Renaming the Russell Senate Office Building

This resolution is asking the Senate to remove Richard B. Russell's name from the Russell Senate Office Building, one of the main office buildings where senators work on Capitol Hill. Right now, the building is officially called the Russell Senate Office Building in honor of Russell, a senator from Georgia who served for many decades in the mid-1900s.

The reason for this request centers on Russell's history with racial segregation and civil rights. Russell was a prominent opponent of the Civil Rights Movement and used his power in the Senate to block legislation that would have protected voting rights and ended racial discrimination. Supporters of this resolution believe that honoring someone with this record is inappropriate, especially in a building where all senators—including those from communities that faced discrimination—work today. They argue that the building's name should reflect values the Senate wants to represent rather than commemorate a senator whose legacy is tied to opposing equal rights.

This is a symbolic action rather than a practical one—it wouldn't change how the building functions or affect most people's daily lives. However, it does represent a broader national conversation about whether public buildings and monuments should honor historical figures whose legacies include opposing civil rights. If passed, the Senate would need to decide on a new name for the building. The resolution essentially asks: should we continue naming important government buildings after people who fought against equality, or should we choose different names that better reflect modern values?