Johnny Cash Statue Coming to the United States Capitol
Johnny Cash’s legacy has already been firmly cemented into American history, and well beyond his contributions to country music. As one of the most well-recognized and respected citizens of the United States, from his championing of the incarcerated and Native Americans, to raising awareness for the poor, and a proud legacy of charitable efforts, he’s beloved by many people around the world for reasons well beyond “Ring of Fire.” Only fitting that he would become the first country music artist, and one of the few cultural icons beyond the political realm to ever to have his likeness memorialized in the United States Capitol right beside many of the other men and women who’ve helped shape the history of the republic.
On Thursday (4-11), Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill that will allow a statue of Johnny Cash to stand the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington. Each state gets to pick two figures they believe best represent their region’s contributions to America, and for Arkansas, that’s Dyess native Johnny Cash. Civil Rights icon Daisy Bates was also selected for a new statue to replace two former politicians from the state whose statues currently reside in the hall.
“This is an extraordinary moment recognizing the contributions of two incredible Arkansans,” said Gov. Hutchinson, who was joined at the signing ceremony and press conference by Johnny Cash’s famous daughter Rosanne Cash. “We want our memories, through our statues, to tell the story of Arkansas. I believe our story is well represented by these two historic figures.”
Rosanne Cash said of her father, “He said quite often that he loved every rock, every tree, every clot of earth in Dyess, Arkansas,” and called Arkansas “the wellspring from which he drew his inspiration.” Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas in 1932, and was raised in Dyess where his boyhood home now acts as a museum.
Before the imposing figure of Johnny Cash can take its rightful place in the United States Capitol to judge the press and politicians with his godly countenance as they pass by, funds first have to be raised for its construction either through public action or private donation. Then the Capitol will have an important country music figure holding court until someone has the guts to say why Johnny Cash doesn’t belong there.
Verlene mccloud
April 14, 2019 @ 11:37 am
Johnny Cash does not belong in the capital. He has done nothing to earn it. He was a simple drunk from the country that got lucky. Get real!.
Trigger
April 14, 2019 @ 12:57 pm
Bet you’re fun at parties.
Let me guess, it’s one of your racist uncles Cash is replacing.
sbach66
April 14, 2019 @ 1:03 pm
Trigger for the win.
Mom
April 14, 2019 @ 5:43 pm
Stop it now you two!
Sandra Harper
April 16, 2019 @ 7:05 pm
LOL🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Troy Christensen
April 14, 2019 @ 1:30 pm
Johnny over came his addictions. He was a great man.
John Small
April 22, 2019 @ 12:03 pm
You’re a moron.
Virginia
April 30, 2019 @ 3:21 pm
THAT IS SO DOWN RIGHT HATEFUL……
Denise Wegweiser
April 14, 2019 @ 11:45 am
Awesome
My dad had every album even one signed but got destroyed in a hurricane. I also have always love him
Wesley Gray
April 14, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
i was listening to Cash at work yesterday. i was cutting a bratty teenager’s hair and his mom was sitting in the chair next to us. the kid says “what is this music?” i said, “c’mon man that’s Johnny Cash!” teenager says, “i don’t like it…” and his mom says “you are no longer an American to me.” lmao! first time i ever heard someone say they don’t like Johnny, though.
Jesus Christ
April 15, 2019 @ 6:04 pm
Thanks for letting me know. I will note in our log book under the “sins” category.
Dukeroberts
April 14, 2019 @ 12:07 pm
Is Elvis part of the Tennessee or Mississippi collection? If not, that should be corrected.
Larry
April 14, 2019 @ 1:49 pm
Johnny Cash is a reminder of God’s grace to many of us who also struggled or have loved ones who struggled with demons and deserves to be remembered as one saved
Lisa B. Guardiola
April 14, 2019 @ 2:56 pm
I’m all for a statue or anything that honors Johnny Cash. However, if Arkansas native sons are being honored, then a statue of Glen Campbell should be next to the one of Johnny Cash. Delight, Arkansas is the home of Glen Campbell and the State has honored Glen Campbell may times. Cash and Campbell we’re both proud of their roots. The 2 entertainment phenoms
Erik North
April 14, 2019 @ 5:32 pm
If you’re going to have a statue of any country music icon, it should indeed be Johnny Cash. And not only because he is a country music icon, or even an American institution, though he certainly is both. He was a man who spoke and sang to, for, and about people, which makes him a universal icon (IMHO).
Kent
April 15, 2019 @ 12:35 am
If it weren’t for Johnny Cash I’m not even sure I’d listening to country. My dad bought me a record player then I was about eleven years old.
this was back in 69-70 and his concert at San Quintin” was broadcast in Sweden. I bought the album and that was one of the first album I bought for my own money, wich I earned from working for farmers in the area there I lived.
Rest In Peace Johnny.
RD
April 15, 2019 @ 7:02 am
What kind of ridiculous standards were employed for these selections? Douglas MacArthur isn’t a more important figure than Johnny Cash or an unknown “civil rights” leader?
Luckyoldsun
April 15, 2019 @ 9:00 pm
There’s a Douglas MacArthur Memorial with his statue in Norfolk Virginia and there’s a MacArthur monument and statue at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. There’s a MacArthur Landing National Park with his stature in the Philippines and a MacArthur Tunnel in San Francisco
This exhibit at the Capitol is just a celebration of the culture and diversity of the different states. It’s not meant to necessarily feature the “greatest” individual from each state.
RD
April 16, 2019 @ 5:23 am
What the fuck are you talking about? Have you ever been there? Statuary hall is certainly not a “celebration of culture and diversity.” Where did you gain that ridiculous notion? It is almost exclusively military leaders and statesman of the 18th and 19th centuries, with a few more recent, lesser selections and a couple of Indian chiefs.
Why would having other monuments and edifices dedicated to a person exclude them from being in Statuary Hall? It would make their selection even more deserved. George Washington has an entire state and district named after him, as well as a towns in nearly every state, his picture on currency, a holiday originally to honor his birthday, etc. Does that exclude him from having a statue there?
Farmer Brian
April 15, 2019 @ 9:16 am
Then the Capitol will have an important country music figure holding court until someone has the guts to say why Johnny Cash doesn’t belong there.
What a great sentence Trig. I see some disagree with the choice here in the comments. That’s ok, but I think it’s a great selection. Mr. Cash represents almost every American, from those who make their living from the land, to those who work the trades and factories, to those in white collar jobs. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like Johnny Cash. I may be just a dumb farmer at he end of the day, but even my most urban dwelling friends still love Johnny Cash. It’s hard to find someone else that such a great following.
Tom Wells
April 15, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
I named My Son Susan thanks to Johnny Cash
Luckyoldsun
April 15, 2019 @ 5:16 pm
Well, he did say to name your son “Bill or George….any danged thing but Sue.”
Harpo
April 15, 2019 @ 4:01 pm
Good for J.R. Cash, he was human, he made mistakes, and so have I.
Jesus Christ
April 15, 2019 @ 6:00 pm
I never have.
King Honky Of Crackershire
April 15, 2019 @ 5:22 pm
Trigger,
What format do I need to express my disagreement in, so that you won’t censor it?
Trigger
April 15, 2019 @ 6:16 pm
I already answered this question.
King Honky Of Crackershire
April 16, 2019 @ 11:08 am
No you haven’t, at least not clearly enough that I know what the heck you expect.
Jesus Christ
April 15, 2019 @ 9:29 pm
Don’t make me put in a bad word for you with my father.
scott
April 17, 2019 @ 5:40 am
Another website?
Jesus Christ
April 15, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
When, I wonder, will the Son of God get a statue there?
Dave R.
May 19, 2020 @ 3:55 pm
Johnny Cash actually existed, though, Jesus didn’t.
Jesus Christ
May 19, 2020 @ 7:54 pm
Who do you think you’re talking to Dave?
Tread carefully, or he without sin will proceed to kick the first ass.