Utah Emerges as a Potential Home for the Statue of Responsibility
A plan to build a 300-foot statue as a companion piece to the Statue of Liberty has gained momentum in Utah. The concept of the Statue of Responsibility was first proposed by Austrian psychologist Viktor Frankl almost 80 years ago, emphasizing that freedom is incomplete without responsibility. Sculptor Gary Lee Price has been working on the project for two decades, and now Utah has emerged as a potential location for the monumental statue. The idea has received enthusiastic support from Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who sees it as an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
A Vision for Complementing Liberty
Frankl, a holocaust survivor, believed that freedom is only part of the story and that responsibleness is its positive aspect. In his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” he recommended that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast. The concept aims to underscore the idea that true freedom requires both liberty and responsibility.
The Sculptor and His Vision
Gary Lee Price, an accomplished sculptor, was connected to the Statue of Responsibility proposal through Stephen Covey, a friend of Frankl’s. Price came up with the idea for the monument almost 20 years ago—a depiction of two hands locked in a grasp. He received a blessing for the concept from Frankl’s widow and family members in Vienna, Austria, in 2004. Since then, Price has been searching for a suitable location to erect the 300-foot sculpture.
A Change of Plans
Initially, California was expected to be the site for the Statue of Responsibility. However, due to a timeline that pushed a potential buildout decades into the future, Price and the non-profit group backing the idea started exploring other options. Recently, the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority board in Utah heard a pitch for why the monument could find its best home in the state.
Utah’s Enthusiastic Support
Utah Governor Spencer Cox spoke before the land authority board and expressed his enthusiastic support for the Statue of Responsibility project. He believes that Utah, as a state of builders, has the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. Cox stated that the monument represents the values of the people in the state and has the potential to inspire not only future generations but the entire nation.
The Path Forward
The land authority board is excited about the Statue of Responsibility project and is looking forward to receiving a formal proposal from the group. Any project proposals are subject to a comprehensive review process before being brought to the board for approval. While the Phase 1 plan for The Point, the proposed site, has already been approved, there are protocols in place for advancing concurrent projects. Price believes that, pending the successful completion of the land authority process, construction on the monument could begin as early as 2026.
Funding and Purpose
The Statue of Responsibility project is committed to funding the monument entirely through donations, with an estimated construction cost of $300 million. Additionally, an endowment is planned to cover operational costs. The monument will not only serve as a symbol but also as a community gathering place for education, outreach, and enrichment. Programs will be implemented to encourage responsibility and improve people’s lives for generations to come.
Conclusion: The Statue of Responsibility, a proposed 300-foot statue to complement the Statue of Liberty, is gaining traction in Utah. The project, which aims to emphasize the importance of responsibility alongside freedom, has received enthusiastic support from Utah Governor Spencer Cox. With plans for funding and a vision for a community gathering place, the Statue of Responsibility has the potential to become an international icon. As Utah emerges as a potential home for this monumental statue, the project could leave a lasting legacy and inspire generations to come.
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