Sep
Johnny Cash Statue Unveiled at U.S. Capitol: “America is About More Than Laws”
Johnny Cash Statue Unveiled at U.S. Capitol: “America is About More Than Laws”
A statue honoring the legendary musician Johnny Cash was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, celebrating his legacy as a cultural icon from Arkansas. The ceremony was attended by members of Cash’s family and lawmakers from both political parties.
The new statue of Cash replaces Sen. James Clarke, whose previous representation of Arkansas was removed due to his support for the Confederacy and racial segregation. Earlier this year, civil rights activist Daisy Bates was honored with a statue, replacing Uriah Rose, making way for Cash to symbolize the state alongside her.
During the unveiling, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson addressed the significance of Cash’s presence in Congress, stating, “Some may ask: Why should a musician have a statue here in the halls of the great American republic? The answer is pretty simple. It’s because America is about more than laws and politics.”
The ceremony saw a diverse gathering of lawmakers and family members, including Cash’s sister, Joanne Cash. Sadly, his brother Tommy Cash passed away earlier this month.
Johnny Cash, born on February 26, 1932, to impoverished cotton farmers in Kingsland, Arkansas, rose to fame in the 1950s amidst the rockabilly movement. His signature all-black attire earned him the nickname “The Man in Black,” which he later used for his 1971 protest song. Cash’s most iconic tracks include “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” and “A Boy Named Sue.”
In his later years, Cash drew inspiration from emerging artists and diverse genres, gaining renewed recognition among younger audiences through his haunting cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails, which has featured prominently in movie trailers, including Logan.
Johnny Cash Statue Unveiled at U.S. Capitol: “America is About More Than Laws”
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized Cash’s broad appeal and influence across music genres during the ceremony, referring to him as “a real American gangster,” a compliment echoed by none other than Snoop Dogg. “What a life, what a legend, what a legacy,” Jeffries remarked, underscoring the lasting impact of Johnny Cash on American culture.
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