Helen Keller Statue Unveiling

A statue of Helen Keller was unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda. Participants in the ceremony talked about her life and legacy, praising her as… read more

A statue of Helen Keller was unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda. Participants in the ceremony talked about her life and legacy, praising her as a trailblazer and an inspiration for those with disabilities.

Each state has two statues in the Capitol as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. This statue replaces one from the state of Alabama. It is the first statue in the collection showing a person with a disability as well as being the first statue of a child. The bronze statue shows 7-year-old Helen Keller, at her home in Tuscumbia, Alabama, holding one hand under a water pump. This moment when her teacher spelled “W-A-T-E-R” into her other hand was when the child without hearing or sight understood what language was.

Speakers included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Alabama Governor Bob Riley, and Carl Augusto, president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind close

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Helen Keller Statue Unveiling

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Program ID:
289337-1
Category:
Public Affairs Event
Format:
Ceremony
Location:
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
First Aired:
Oct 07, 2009 | 11:54am EDT | C-SPAN 1

Airing Details

  • Oct 07, 2009 | 11:54am EDT | C-SPAN 1

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