No change for State House sign
Pols: Hooker Entrance will stay as is
Beacon Hill leaders rejected a rep’s suggestion that the State House entrance named for Civil War Gen. Joseph Hooker be changed because the “double entendre” has led to mockery and embarrassment among visitors, especially teenagers.
“Gov. (Charlie) Baker believes that General Hooker deserves to be honored at the State House as he was a highly distinguished Union general who courageously fought to end slavery,” said Brendan Moss, a spokesman for Baker.
The Herald reported yesterday that state Rep. Michelle DuBois has called for the giant “GENERAL HOOKER ENTRANCE” sign at the State House to be changed or removed entirely, noting that schoolboys have been teasing girls on field trips about it for years and that other prostitute-related jokes prompted by “Fighting Joe’s” last name could constitute “discriminatory harassment.”
But DuBois’ outrage doesn’t seem to be sparking much enthusiasm among her Beacon Hill colleagues.
“As the granddaughter of a Civil War veteran, I don’t believe in removing recognition of veterans from our building simply due to their surnames,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler.
But she added that plenty of the state’s other historical figures continue to go without the proper acknowledgement under the Golden Dome.
“I do believe we can and should do a much more effective job in recognizing and honoring the diverse heroes of Massachusetts’ history throughout the State House,” Chandler said.
Spokesmen for House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo did not return repeated requests for comment yesterday.
Hooker was a career Army officer and a major general in the Civil War who lost the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863 against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Earlier he had demonstrated successes as a field commander at Williamsburg, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
He retired from the Army in 1868 and died in 1879.
There’s nothing to suggest Gen. Hooker, who was born in Hadley, had any connection to actual hookers, historians have said.
Nonetheless, DuBois raised eyebrows earlier this week for an unusual proposal after images emerged of school children protesting gun violence on the steps of the State House outside the large Hooker sign.
She suggested state officials keep the Hooker statue but take down the Hooker sign.
DuBois has since clarified that she merely wants to add Hooker’s first name to the sign.
A Herald columnist reported yesterday that DuBois blocked him on Twitter after he wrote a post on her proposed ban on Thursday.
“Yes. I am proud to represent people (even sensitive people) who do not like the double meaning,” tweeted DuBois. “All I am asking for is to add the General’s first name to the mighty sign.”