WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement today following University of Maryland President Wallace Loh’s recommendation to change the name of the university’s football stadium from Byrd Stadium to Maryland Stadium:

“I join in supporting calls from President Wallace Loh and student leaders to rename the University of Maryland’s football stadium. Given Harry “Curley” Byrd’s support for segregationist policies during his time as President of the University of Maryland, I believe the stadium’s name is not in line with the university’s mission and its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Our campus and its facilities should be a welcoming place for all. As a proud Terp alumni, I value that our university has been an example of progress, and we should continue that tradition as the flagship university of the University System of Maryland. I urge the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, who has the final authority to rename school buildings, to act promptly and to vote to rename the stadium.”