Mr. Barboza and fellow members of the Sons of the American Revolution testify in 1986 before the House Task Force on Libraries and Memorials.  L-R: Judge Lawrence W. Pierce, a descendent of Adam Pierce a black patriot from New Jersey, and Robert J. Lunney, Esq., president, Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York.

After extensive hearings, on October 27, 1986, President Reagan signed Public Law 99-558, which allows the memorial to stand in Washington, D.C., but does not specify a site.