(KAIR)--Amelia Earhart, the famed aviator who once lived in Atchison, is being immortalized in the United States Capital.
Announcement that the Architect of the Capitol approved the placement of a statue representing Earhart in the Capitol was made by Kansas Republican U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall.
According to a release from the Senators, the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony, which is when Earhart’s likeness will be installed, is scheduled for July 27.
Seeing the statue placed at the Capitol has long been the goal of Atchison supporters of Earhart, whose name each July is remembered with a festival held in her honor in her childhood home city of Atchison.
Moran, in the release, credits the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation, the Earhart Family, and the City of Atchison for what he calls “their persistent work to bring [the Earhart statue] to the Capitol.”
Once put in place, Earhart will become only the 10th woman represented in the 100 statues in the National Statuary Hall.
Marshall calls Earhart a “true Kansas pioneer,” explaining that she will replace Kansan John James Ingalls in the statuary hall. He further said an identical statue to the one placed in the Capitol will also be on display in the Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum, located at Atchison’s municipal airport named in her honor, once in opens in 2023.
Both Senators, in the release, acknowledge Earhart’s achievements and the influence she continues to have, with Moran saying “she led the way for thousands of women to pursue their dreams” in numerous fields, while Marshall calls her “a true Kansas pioneer.”
Atchison resident Jacque Pregont, who has long served as the Amelia Earhart Festival Coordinator, is also chair of the Amelia Earhart Statuary Hall Selection Committee and board member of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation. In the release, she says the statue will stand as “an inspiring symbol-particularly for women and girls -to boldly pursue their dreams.”
United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy will join Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Moran and Marshall during the Earhart statue dedication and unveiling ceremony set for the morning of July 27.
© Many Signals Communications
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