On Wednesday, the Michigan House of Representatives passed Representative Jennifer Wortz’s (R-Quincy) House Resolution 23, which commemorates February 14^th, 2025 as Frederick Douglas Day in the State of Michigan. The resolution is the first of Wortz’s introduced legislation to be passed by the Michigan House.

“The last representative from my district introduced this resolution every term he was in office because Frederick Douglass visited Hillsdale twice in 1863 and 1888, so it seemed appropriate for this office to continue recognizing him,” Wortz said. “I am very privileged to be representing a district that hosted such an important figure in American history.”

Wortz explained that the resolution declares February 14^th the commemorative date for Douglass because that was the day he chose to remember as his birthday. Though he did not remember his exact birthdate, Douglass chose to celebrate it on Valentine’s Day because his mother, Harriet Bailey, referred to him as her “Little Valentine.” Wortz’s resolution details this story and other facts about Douglass’s life, including his escape from bondage, his persuasive oratory work advocating for the abolition of slavery, and his relationships with prominent American statesmen and citizens.

“Douglass is one of the most principled political advocates and talented orators in American history,” Wortz said. “His enormous accomplishments, character, and ability more than warrant a day of commemoration, and I hope my resolution helps inspire my peers and I to also champion the cause of human liberty for which Douglass fought so hard.”