The Rotunda will be closed to Capitol tour groups Wednesday for a Congressional award ceremony.

Civil rights activist Dorothy Height, president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women, is scheduled to receive the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday afternoon.

In conjunction with the ceremony, Statuary Hall will also be closed to tours from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. [IMGCAP(1)]

“Other areas of the Capitol normally open to tours will not be affected,” a notice from House Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Livingood states. “Please note that at times during and after the ceremony, the U.S. Capitol Police may temporarily restrict access in certain corridors inside the Capitol.”

Public tours will not be canceled, however, and staff-led tours should not be affected. Similar restrictions will be in effect April 22 for the Ceremony in Commemoration of the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust.

Think of the Children. As part of an effort to promote a national dialogue about issues important to young people, a group of activists called Mobilizing America’s Youth is bringing dozens of children from across the country to the Capitol to meet with Members on Wednesday afternoon.

An 11 a.m. news conference will be followed by informal group meetings in Members’ offices.

The event will include Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Reps. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio).

— Jennifer Yachnin and John McArdle