Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today spoke during the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony in honor of Amelia Earhart of Kansas. The statue of Amelia Earhart joins President Dwight D. Eisenhower representing Kansas in the United States Capitol.
Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Speech
Speakers at the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony included Sen. Moran, Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., Governor Laura Kelly, Representative Sharice Davids, Representative Jake LaTurner, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
To watch the full Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony, click here.
Sen. Moran’s Remarks at the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony:
“When Statuary Hall was established in 1864, each state was granted two statues of citizens who were… ‘illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military service as each State may deem worthy of this national commemoration.’
“Over in the Rotunda, stands one bronze statue of the Kansan, General and former President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. And for more than a century Kansas statesman John Ingalls has proudly represented Kansas as our second statue.
“Today, we have a new Kansan to represent our state in the U.S. Capitol – someone who is recognized for her historic renown as an aviator, but also someone who broke barriers, created opportunities for others and captivated the attention of the world with her adventurous spirit – Kansas’ Amelia Earhart.
“With Dwight D. Eisenhower and now Amelia Earhart, Kansas officially has two of the most iconic and recognizable American heroes representing any state in the United States Capitol.
“I want to thank a few people in the room who, without their hard work, today would not have been possible: Jacque Pregont, Karen Seaberg and Reed Berger with the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation.
“Thank you for never giving up on Amelia and leading the effort to bring this statue to the United States Capitol.
“Amelia’s ambition and spirit of adventure that took her around the world was built on her foundational upbringing in Atchison. It is fitting that today the foundation on which she stands is limestone from the Flint Hills in Kansas.
“Between two and three million people from around the world visit the U.S. Capitol every year. It is my hope that this statue of Amelia Earhart will encourage other girls and boys from small towns across the country to dream big and work hard to achieve their dreams.
“And for those who can’t travel to the U.S. Capitol, they can visit the Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum in Atchison where a replica statue will be on display of a determined young woman with short cut hair, a curious smile, a bomber hat in hand and a sunflower on her belt buckle.
“Amelia Earhart’s first flight across the Atlantic was as a passenger. After she landed she famously stated, ‘There’s more to life than just being a passenger.’
“Greatness comes through action. Our country’s greatest achievements, and those of the world, have depended on those who were more than a passenger, who cast aside the fear of failure, and pushed to expand the boundaries of what was thought possible.
“From the Wright Brothers to Amelia Earhart, from Alan Shepherd to Sally Ride, this is true in the history of flight and the history of America. It’s no less true in our everyday lives. The ordinary become extraordinary through action.
“As editorialized today in the Atchison Globe: ‘Earhart was a dreamer who refused to conform to the roles assigned to women and instead blazed her own trail.” We are reminded today God created each of use to be more than just a passenger.’