Thousands of people supported a bill to immortalize Dolly Parton in a statue on the Capitol grounds in her home state of Tennessee. But, the iconic American country singer has declined. At least for now.
Parton said on social media that she is “honored” by the intention but has asked the leaders of the state legislature to withdraw the bill from any consideration.
“I want to thank the Tennessee legislature for their consideration of a bill to erect a statue of me on the Capitol grounds. I am honored and humbled by their intention but I have asked the leaders of the state legislature to remove the bill from any and all consideration,” her statement reads. Given all that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time. I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I’m gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I’m certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean.”
Parton argued that with everything that’s going on in the world, she doesn’t think it’s appropriate to put her on a pedestal at this time. She hopes that several years from now, or perhaps when she passes away if she still deserves it, she can stand on the great state Capitol as a grateful Tennessee native.
More than 25,000 people signed an online petition to replace controversial Confederate statues on Capitol grounds in Nashville with a statue of Parton, as a state legislator proposed last month.
