A statue of Walt Disney might be coming to the U.S. Capitol, if a Florida House Representative has it his way. The proposed statue would replace one of Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith. Each state gets to place two statues in the U.S. Capitol, with Florida’s current choices being Gen. Smith and refrigeration pioneer John Gorrie.
Rep. Scott Plakon said that he’d like to see Disney take Smith’s place, and says “I think he’s transformed our state and our culture more than any other person.”
From the Orlando Sentinel…
The Legislature last year passed a bill setting up a commission to decide who should replace Smith. Plakon was one of the few members to vote against it. He said he was skeptical of the process of setting up a commission to decide the replacement and only four of the seven members showed up to one of the meetings. He wants the Legislature to decide on its own who the replacement will be.
Also a contender? Everglades environmentalist Marjorie Stoneman Douglas.
Plakon says he’s open to other choices besides Walt Disney, and that he’ll keep an open mind.
Disney, who was born in Chicago, spent his childhood in Missouri and lived most of his adult life in California, didn’t live to see “The Florida Project” completed. Disney died in 1966 and Walt Disney World opened in 1971.
What are your thoughts? Do you think a statue of Walt Disney is an appropriate choice for Florida? Comment below or in the forums.
[Photo: Whootis.com]
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