FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

2/4/2026

The goals of the United Daughters of the Confederacy® (UDC) have not changed since our formation in 1894: Historical, Benevolent, Educational, Memorial and Patriotic. We operate two libraries and a museum at our headquarters in Richmond, where we have been located since 1957. This property was given to us in 1950 by the Commonwealth of Virginia, as they deemed our organization worthy of being caretakers of Virginia history.

Passage of HB167 is viewpoint discrimination, considering the other organizations given protection under § 58.1-3607 of the Code of Virginia. The bill blatantly targets “Confederate” organizations.

Passage of this bill will set a precedent to open the door for other valuable historical museums to lose tax-exempt status and opens wide the door for legal action. Is this simply a test case before moving on to bigger and better targets, including churches? To target any group who does not conform to the delegate’s way of thinking is un-American.

To punish descendants of those veterans who responded to the call of your legislature in 1861 to defend their state reeks of discrimination, based on misguided and biased opinions of our great philanthropic organization.

The 11,000 members of the UDC are strongly opposed to HB167.

Julie N. Hardaway, President General
United Daughters of the Confederacy®