Reagan Statue Unveiled In Capitol

A statue of 40th President Ronald Reagan was unveiled Wednesday in the U.S. Capitol. The ceremony was attended by former First Lady Nancy Reagan, congressional leaders and James Baker III, the Reagan administration’s Secretary of Treasury.

“The last time I was in this room was for Ronnie’s [funeral] service,” Reagan said, referring to the ceremony’s Rotunda room setting. “So it’s nice to be back under happy circumstances.”

The seven-foot-tall bronze statue was sculpted by North Carolina artist Chas Fagan. It stands across from a statue of 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and portrays Reagan smiling. It is filled with pieces of the Berlin Wall.

Following the ceremony, Nancy Reagan attended lunch with First Lady Michelle Obama.  President Barack Obama recently signed the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act, which will set up a commission to celebrate what would have been the former President’s 100th birthday in 2011.