A bipartisan group of lawmakers next week will honor Frederick Douglass, the early civil rights leader, orator and writer who escaped slavery in 1838, with a statue in the U.S. Capitol.

A gift of the District of Columbia, the statue will be placed in Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitors Center on Wednesday, June 19.

"It's a fitting tribute to one of the greatest Americans and voices for freedom who ever lived," House Speaker John Boehner said.

For those not in the capital area, the statue unveiling will be streamed live online.