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Helen Keller statue unveiled in Washington

By Stephen Gallien - email

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAFF) - A statue of a young Helen Keller will now greet people at the new Capitol Visitor's Center in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Bob Riley joined with Congressional leaders to unveil the bronze likeness of Helen Keller at a water pump at her home in Tuscumbia at the moment she solved what she called "the mystery of language."

"This extraordinary person showed us the power of the human spirit and reminded all of us that courage and strength can exist in the most unlikely places," Riley said during Wednesday's unveiling ceremony.

The governor spearheaded the effort to put the Helen Keller statue in the U.S. Capitol, calling her one of Alabama's most recognizable and significant historical figures.

"By placing this statue in the Capitol, we appropriately honor this extraordinary American and will inspire countless children who will come to understand that with faith and courage there truly are no limits to what can be accomplished and no obstacles that cannot be overcome," said Riley.

The Helen Keller statue is the first in the National Statuary Hall Collection that depict a person with a disability and the only one of a child.

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