Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune Represents The First African American To Have A State-Commissioned Statue In National Statuary Hall
Tallahassee, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis has sent a letter to the Architect of the U.S. Capitol officially requesting the replacement of the General Edmund Kirby Smith statue in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol with Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.
The announcement coincided with the 144th anniversary of Dr. McLeod Bethune's birthday, July 10, 1875 and was sent in accordance with Chapter 2018 -19, Laws of Florida.
"Florida is proud to commemorate the 144th anniversary of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune's birthday by sending our state's formal request to place her statue in National Statuary Hall, making her the first African American to have a state-commissioned statue," said Governor DeSantis.
"Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was an influential educator, leader and civil rights activist who became one of Florida's and our nation's most influential leaders. Dr. McLeod Bethune's statue will represent the best of who we are as Floridians to visitors from around the world in our nation's capitol. Her legacy endures and will continue to inspire future generations."
During the 2016 Legislative Session, Chapter 2016 - 41, was signed into law to provide for the selection of a prominent Florida Citizen to be commemorated in the National Statuary Hall Collection as a replacement for the statue of General Edmund Kirby Smith.
After soliciting and receiving testimony from members of the public, an ad hoc committee of the Great Floridians Program recommended Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune as one of three individuals to serve as a replacement for the statue of Edmund Kirby Smith. During the 2018 Legislative Session, Chapter 2018-19, was signed into law requesting the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the replacement of the statue of General Edmund Kirby Smith in the National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.
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