Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower already has a place in history.
He defeated the Nazis. He built the interstate system. He was the 34th President.
Now, the Kansan is going to have a place at the Kansas capitol.
The Kansas Legislature overwhelming approved a bill authorizing an Eisenhower statue on the capitol grounds. The House unanimously approved the bill as did the state Senate. It now goes to the governor for his signature.
The privately financed statue, costing an estimated $140,000, will be modeled after a statue of Eisenhower that’s in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.
The new statue will be placed in the northwest corner of the capitol grounds. It will show Eisenhower gesturing with his right hand, similar to the famous photograph of him talking to solider before parachuting into Normandy.
The statue was part of the plan for landscaping improvements at the capitol. The statue was intended to one of several enhancements and memorials paying tribute to distinguished Kansans.
Construction of the statue is expected to start as soon as the legislation is enacted. A date for installing the statue has not been set.
