National Statuary Hall
In 2019, the 92nd Arkansas General Assembly authorized the replacement of the existing statues in the National Statuary Hall in Washington D. C. of U.M. Rose and James P. Clarke with statues of Daisy Lee Gatson Bates and John R. “Johnny” Cash. Donations for the Arkansas National Statuary Hall Collection Trust Fund may be made through the Foundation for Arkansas Heritage and History, a 501(c)3.
Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (1913-1999) was a mentor to the Little Rock Nine, the African-American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. She and the Little Rock Nine gained national and international recognition for their courage and persistence during the desegregation of Central High. She and her husband, Lucious Christopher (L. C.) Bates, published the Arkansas State Press, a newspaper dealing primarily with civil rights and other issues in the black community.
John R. “Johnny” Cash (1932 –2003) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and author born in Arkansas. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. His genre-spanning songs and sound embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal won Cash the rare honor of being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.