Should Goldwater statue replace Greenway?

Mining magnate John Campbell Greenway helped found the city of Ajo and has a major roadway and high school in Phoenix named after him. His statue, sculpted by the man who designed Mount Rushmore, stands in a section of the U.S. Capitol that honors individuals chosen by their states.

But some Arizona lawmakers say Greenway’s statue should be brought home and replaced by one of late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, whom they say would better represent the state in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.

“No slight on Mr. Greenway, but Barry Goldwater is one of the most recognizable figures in Arizona history,” said Rep. Peter Hershberger, R-Tucson. “Here is an individual who really represents, with his own spirit and personality, the spirit of the West and the spirit of Arizona.”

HJR 2001 would encourage the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the switch and return the Greenway statue. It also would ask the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission to raise private money to cover the cost of the Goldwater statue and bringing Greenway’s home.

Each state is allowed to donate two statues of bronze or marble of important figures to stand in the National Statuary Hall.

The bronze statue of Greenway, designed by Gutzon Borglum, has stood in the hall since 1930. Arizona’s other statue is of Father Eusebio F. Kino, the 17th century Jesuit missionary.