posted 02-05-2015 10:16 AM               

Sen. Lara Proposal Would Make History by Placing Statue of American Physicist and Astronaut Dr. Sally Ride in National Statuary Hall

Dr. Ride would become first woman to represent California and first member of the LGBT community to be placed in the National Statuary Hall

California State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) today (Feb. 4) introduced Senate Joint Resolution 4 which would require the United States Congress to place a statue of physicist, astronaut, and champion of science Dr. Sally Ride in the Statuary Hall located in the United States Capitol. Dr. Ride would become the first woman to represent California and the first member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to be placed in the Statuary Hall.

"Dr. Sally Ride is a California native, American hero and stratospheric trailblazer who devoted her life to pushing the limits of space and inspiring young girls to succeed in math and science careers," said Senator Ricardo Lara. "She is the embodiment of the American dream whose accomplishments and life work will encourage future generations to reach for the stars and celebrate diversity and inclusivity. I am proud to introduce SJR 4 to memorialize Dr. Ride as one of California's two representatives in our nation's Statuary Hall."

Senator Lara is joined by 18 co-authors from the State Senate and Assembly, including the leadership of the California Legislative Women's and LGBT Caucuses, as well as Principal co-author Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins.

Dr. Sally Ride made history on June 18, 1983 when she became the first American female astronaut and youngest person to soar into space when she traveled aboard the space shuttle Challenger. After leaving NASA in 1987, she focused her efforts on science education and on teaching young people, especially girls, that there are no limits to what they can achieve. In 2001, Dr. Ride cofounded Sally Ride Science, along with her life partner Tam O'Shaughnessy, to create classroom materials, programs, and professional development courses for 3-8th grade educators and their students. They place a strong emphasis on gender and racial equality in the classroom and on introduce students to working scientists, engineers and mathematicians who exemplified this diversity in their respective fields. Dr. Ride went on to serve her country, California, and future generations as a member of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology; Director of the California Space Institute, inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame, the California Hall of Fame, the Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Additionally, Dr. Ride received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously from President Barack Obama in 2013, the highest civilian honor bestowed in the United States. Later in life, Dr. Ride became an inspiration for those battling pancreatic cancer and for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

"Sally would be very honored to represent her home state of California in the National Statuary Hall Collection," said Dr. Tam O'Shaughnessy, Sally's life partner and Cofounder and CEO of Sally Ride Science. "She believed that diverse role models are important in all areas, but especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), to inspire young girls and boys and to give them a sense of belonging in STEM. Having a statue of Sally on display in our nation's capital would send a wonderful message of inspiration and equality to the world."

Created in 1864, The National Statuary Hall Collection was authorized by the United States Congress to allow each State to provide two statues of notable citizens for display in the United States Capitol. The two statues currently on display representing California are President Ronald Reagan and Father Junipero Serra. Any state can request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve a replacement of a statue the state has provided for display if the statue has been approved by the legislature and Governor and if the statue to be replaced has been displayed in the Capitol for at least ten years.

The SJR 4 aims to relocate the statue of Father Junipero Serra, known as an eloquent preacher and founder of numerous missions throughout California, at a location in California where citizens and visitors can enjoy it and be reminded of his significant historical impact upon our state. The statue of President Reagan was unveiled in the United States Capitol Rotunda on June 3, 2009. The statue of President Reagan replaced a statue of Thomas Starr King, which the State of California donated in 1931 along with the statue of Father Serra.

California's Commission on the Status of Women and Girls will be tasked with selecting a commission to represent the state in selecting the sculptor or sculptors and obtain the necessary funds to carry out the resolution.

posted 02-05-2015 10:26 AM               

Apollo 13 command module pilot Jack Swigert is honored in the hall by Colorado, where he was elected to Congress but died before taking office.

The Swigert statue, sculpted by George and Mark Lundeen, depicts him in his Apollo spacesuit holding his helmet.

The Los Angeles Times, in reporting about the Sally Ride statue proposal, spoke to Tam O'Shaughnessy, who shared how she'd like to see her partner represented.

O'Shaughnessy, who has never visited Statuary Hall, already has an idea of how she'd like to see her longtime partner depicted: in her iconic, light blue flight suit.

"It just sort of cries out 'astronaut' and 'adventure,' " O'Shaughnessy said. "I like that image."

posted 04-06-2015 10:39 AM               

In Washington, the Congressional Joint Committee on the Library, which oversees the statue collection, must approve the proposed changes. "They have not turned down a proposal," Dr. Wolanin said.

posted 04-06-2015 04:03 PM            

"They have not turned down a proposal," Dr. Wolanin said.

posted 04-09-2015 11:58 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
On Thursday (April 9), California's state senate is scheduled to vote on the resolution...

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The session originally was planned for today but was delayed because Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, who proposed the idea, is scheduled to lead the Senate today.

posted 04-09-2015 01:03 PM               

Were it not for that, I doubt anyone would be discussing it, as if being the first American woman in space wasn't quite good enough otherwise.

posted 04-09-2015 01:25 PM               

For her own reasons, Sally decided to acknowledge her orientation only after her passing, but it was a decision that she made knowingly, not one that others made for her. So to not acknowledge it now would be a disservice to her as well.

posted 04-09-2015 01:33 PM               

Rep. Susan Davis Leads CA Delegation Letter in Support of Sally Ride Statue in US Capitol

Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) led a California congressional delegation letter in support of having a statue of astronaut and educator Sally Ride represent California in the U.S. Capitol. The letter to Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, who is leading the legislative effort in the Assembly, urges the California legislature to approve the resolution to commission a statue of Ride.

"Sally Ride personifies the California and American spirits of exploration and discovery," said Rep. Davis. "Sally was a pioneer of space exploration and she was a tireless advocate in promoting STEM education, especially for girls. Having her presence grace the halls of the Congress would be a fitting tribute and an inspiration to the many Americans who visit the Capitol everyday."

A long-time San Diego resident, Ride was the first American woman in space and later taught as a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. With her partner Tam O'Shaughnessy, she co-founded Sally Ride Science, which develops educational programs to inspire middle and high school students, particularly girls, about science.

Since 1864, each state has been allowed to display two statues in the U.S. Capitol. State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) is the author of a resolution in the state Senate to replace Father Junípero Serra, whose statue was added in 1931, with a statue of Ride. In 2009, a statue of Ronald Reagan replaced one of Thomas Starr King, which was also donated in 1931.

posted 04-09-2015 02:30 PM               

Francis French, who worked with Sally Ride, and currently works with the San Diego Air and Space Museum , said, "A lot of people go on to be a first in something, and then remain in the history books. Years later they die and nobody knows what else they've done. Sally had another whole legacy after her space time, as being an incredible motivator of science and engineering education."

"It's great people are thinking about putting that statue there. Very difficult to choose two people who symbolize and summarize an entire state," he said.

posted 04-15-2015 3:25 PM               

California Senate votes to honor astronaut Sally Ride with statue in U.S. Capitol

A statue of the late astronaut Sally Ride, the United States' first woman in space, could stand in the Capitol, if a lawmaker's proposal continues to advance.

The California State Senate on Monday (April 13) narrowly passed Joint Resolution 4, a "measure [memorializing] the Congress of the United States to place a statue of Sally Ride next to the statue of former President Ronald Reagan in the Congressional collection representing California."

The resolution, introduced by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), cleared with a vote of 22 to 10 — just one more vote than what was required for it to pass.

posted 07-01-2015 03:41 PM               

The California Senate has already approved the plan, which still needs approval from the full Assembly and the governor.

...supporters of the Senate Joint Resolution 4, proposed by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, appeared before the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media on Tuesday... The committee unanimously supported the proposal...

posted 07-03-2015 07:24 AM               

Lara, a Catholic, said he was pausing "as somebody who respects people's faith" and "to pay respect to one of world's religious leaders," with Pope Francis scheduled to canonize Serra during a September visit. Lara plans to take up the measure again next year.

"We're going to come back in January, we're going to get this done, and we're going to celebrate when we finally have our first woman honored and enshrined," Lara said.