A statue of indigenous music legend Dolly Parton can be seen on the Capitol Square in Tennyson – that is, if Democratic Rep. John Mark Wendell has something to say about it.
On Tuesday, Wendell introduced a bill calling for a “Dolly Parton statue” to be recognized by all who have played a key role in the state. According to the bill, the statue will be located “on the grounds of the capital facing the Rayman Auditorium” where 74-year-old “Julian” singer and songwriter has performed throughout his career.
“It’s just a sacred land for me,” Parton, 74, said of the venue in 2017. It feels like your family. It’s like your mama and your dad and your whole family are around you. I just have a feeling here that I can’t find anywhere else.
Parton, who hails from Tennessee, has a strong history of philanthropy and devotion to the state, where he built his theme park Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. The nine-time Grammy winner founded the Imagination Library, which has inspired children’s literature from around the world by sending books to children between the ages of 30 and 5, and last year Parton donated 10 1 million to Vanderbilt University. Contributed to the research fund for Modern Covid19 vaccine. When news of his donation broke, Parton spoke about it Today Show, “I’m just glad that whatever I do can help someone else.
In August, a local Nashville artist painted a parting wall outside the 5 Spot Music venue, citing a recent interview with the singer. “Of course, black is the essence of life,” Parton said. Billboard This month, “Do we think our little white donkeys are important?”
This is not the first time Parton’s statue has been considered. Last year, an online petition, which now has more than 25,000 signatures, demanded that one of the parties replace the Confederate statues in Tennessee. And in 2019, a legislator suggested to Parton to replace the statue of Klox clan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The bill, introduced last week, said Parton’s statue would not be paid by taxpayers in dollars, but by “gifts, grants and other donations.”
“At this point in history, is there a better example, not only in the United States, but also in the world, of a leader who is kind, polite, passionate?” Wendell said Wednesday that F.C. Tennessee. “(He) is a passionate person who loves everyone, and everyone loves him.”
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