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Journey to S
First Steps
In March of 2016 , Gov . Rick Scott signed a law to replace the statue of Confederate Gen . Edmund Kirby Smith , which had been donated to the U . S . Capitol for display in Statuary Hall in 1922 , with a new “ Great Floridian .”
The search for a new sculpture was conducted by the Florida Department of State , Division of Cultural Affairs , which reviewed 3,585 submissions . The list was narrowed to 130 eligible names , including Mary Mcleod Bethune .
Dr . Bethune received 1,237 votes , easily outpacing the second-place subject who received 450 votes .
The selection of Dr . Bethune continues her legacy of accomplishment and she will be the first African-American to represent a state in Statuary Hall , the first African American woman to represent a state and the first and only statue in the U . S . Capitol dressed in academia cap and gown .
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Statuary Hall
Occupying the space originally used as the chamber for the House of Representatives , the National Statuary Hall was created after Congress invited each of the states to contribute two statues of prominent citizens for permanent display . Initially all of the contributed statues were housed in the space , as the collection grew more space was needed . In 1933 Congress authorized the display of the statues throughout the Capitol .
Today , National Statuary Hall is one of the most popular rooms in the U . S . Capitol Building , with thousands of visitors passing through every day . It also continues to be used for ceremonial occasions and special events are held there , including activities honoring foreign dignitaries and presidential luncheons .
Fundraising Effort
The Dr . Mary Mcleod Bethune Statuary Fund , Inc . was formed in 2018 to raise private funds for the project . The Board of Directors of the Fund include Nancy Lohman , president ; Bob Lloyd , secretary ; Mary Greenlees , treasurer ; Jennifer Adams , Jim Cameron , Michelle Carter , Brent Chrite , Joyce Cusak , Kathy Crotty , Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry , Sherri Lloyd , Nellie Lupoli , Volusia County Councilwoman Billie Wheeler , ex-officio members Nilda Comes and Ashley Stoekel and recording secretary Danielle Garrett .
In addition to raising funds for the U . S . Capitol statue , the Board expanded the fundraising effort to include an additional $ 150,000 for placement of a bronze statue of Mary Mcleod Bethune in Riverfront Esplanade Park in downtown Daytona Beach .
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