6) The Great Walk In The New Millennium From The African American Business Journal Poem by Otradom Pelogo

(One Shouldn't Beat Around The Bush)

The Great Walk In The New Millennium

This is part of a letter that I sent to Gov. George W Bush (of Texas) in 1996. I was trying to see, if in so many words, analogies, and examples, could I convince him to see putting a monument of a woman (historical figure) on The Great Walk.

I later, while writing to a friend, of how the Supreme Court Justices with Sandra D. O'Connor looked like (four men on either side of a woman) compared to two men on either side of a woman or just the addition of another woman. There is a figure of The Statue of Liberty at the top of The State Capitol of Texas but on The Great Walk, there are only male figures.

Both being aesthetically pleasant, yet one being equally as liberal... or equally as equal. After inquiring about the concept, I was told that they couldn't place more monuments there once they were placed, but I also found out that they had been placed there at different times throughout the history of The Great Walk. Though the only true way, as of today, is to get it passed by The Texas State Legislature and The Texas State Preservation Board.

1996
Letter to Gov. George W. Bush

The Great Walk In The New Millennium
To:
The Honorable
George W. Bush
(Laura Bush)
Governor of Texas

After reading over the Title 13 Cultural Resources Part VII. State Preservation Board Chapter 111; Rules and Regulations of the Board, I found that the one exception to placing another monument on The Great Walk would be a military commemorative work. With the new millennium approaching, I wondered will the Board be taking advantage of that opportunity to recommend that a monument be placed there, representing not only the new millennium, but the three centuries that the State Capitol will have transcended, and the people here and around the world that will have supported it. Whether the monument represents the women and men who the baton has been handed to, or one representing our philosophy of liberty, progress and peace, expressed throughout the world with every plant, animal and person, I would, as I'm sure, the rest of our constituents would, enjoy hearing some of those plans.

I have taken the tour through the State Capitol, toured the Capitol's grounds, and tried to view each monument and historical marker. I thought I had seen them all, until I contacted the State Preservation Board, inquiring about the patterns and planning of the monuments on the Capitol's grounds as well as those inside the State Capitol. It was then that a member of the State Preservation Board, told me of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and their constituent's recommendation to have a monument placed on the Capitol's grounds.

Because of the special interest of the monuments of The Great Walk, which are equally as magnificent as those around the State Capitol, I felt compelled to seek more information on some of the history of the Texas State Capitol and its monuments. This, coupled with the extensive and arduous process of renovation, makes it not only one of the most beautiful edifices in Texas, but the country as well. And after realizing that it was completed in 1888, with the first monument added in 1891, reflects the history, pride and dedication, which Texans and their guests have applied to one of their most precious jewels over the last 109 years.

Because the restoration of the monuments on The Great Walk must have been as fastidious as deciding who should be placed there and where, I then tried to empathize with the planners. After considering just a few of the great women and men who could have been placed there, I can only imagine the effort it must have taken to make all the right decisions. The sixteen-year period of having the statues placed on The Great Walk must have been a challenging one. And the 103-year period must have been equally as challenging when placing the rest of the monuments, like the Alamo Monument, the first one placed there in 1891, to those like the Live Oak tree, dedicated by the Officers Wives Club at Bergstrom Air Base in 1973. Also, the Pearl Harbor Monument placed there in 1989, honoring the women and men from Texas in the military services. Although having studied Texas history in the past, I'm still enlightened by the many acts of bravery; like those by Mrs. C.W. Bregg, who in 1862, as chairperson of a committee, approved by Governor Lubbock, expressed their feelings about the fall of New Orleans. (Annals of Travis County and the City of Austin)

Also, those represented by the statue of the Volunteer Firemen, which I find just as enlightening as the monuments of those representing the women and men of the Civil War. It causes me to remember that our quest transcends our jobs and personal ideologies, and is one, which is a perpetual process, whether our quest is a peaceful or controversial one. This also forces me to try and empathize with the women and men from the State Preservation Board, to the legislature and the various groups and individuals who helped plan the renovation of the State Capitol. The feat itself must have been incredible when considering whether to make exceptions to the rules when looking at all of the constituents who have contributed to Texas. Even our most recent role models, like Barbara Jordan, Ann Richards, Lyndon B. Johnson, and those who also struggled as they poured the foundation and placed the Statue of Liberty on top of the State Capitol's dome; some who are also affined.

In 1981 I visited Austin for the first time, as a representative from Beaumont, Texas as part of a track team from Hebert High School, one of the many proud centers of academic and athletic scholarship in Texas, which two years later underwent the process of desegregation, along with Forest Park High School, and is now known as West Brook Sr. High. But it wasn't until 1986 that Austin became my permanent home, and the State Capitol remained one of the most venerable edifices, not only to family, friends and guests but also myself as well; some who have visited from places like California, Kansas, Louisiana and the Virgin Islands. And yet today, my interest, coupled with the remarkable renovation of the State Capitol, has me even more intrigued by its presence.

From the Statue of Liberty on top of the State Capitol's dome, to the monument of The Confederate Soldiers at the beginning of The Great Walk, from 1891 to 1907, the presentation of these monuments have attracted a great deal of attention.

After having read some of the information about some of the contributors and initial supporters of the monuments, those like the Gorham Company of Providence, Rhode Island, which I noticed after recently visiting there, that the other half is placed upon the top of their Capitol's dome (A male figure, compared to a female figure on top of the Texas Capitol's dome) , Pompeo Coppini, The United Daughters of the Confederacy and the State Firemen's Association of Texas; I find their intent and appreciation of Texas, the State Capitol and its constituents, overwhelming.

Trying to satisfy my curiosity even further, I sought more information at the Texas History Center. And after reading clippings from sources like the Austin American Statesman, and the Austin Daily Statesman, I found that the interest, which ranged from a frolicsome to a pragmatic endeavor, was transmitted equally as much from the constituents on the inside of the Capitol's walls, those throughout the country and internationally as well. Countries like France, where Constance Warren, then a representative of France as well as a representative of the United States, who was originally born in New York, has shown great interest in the State Capitol. For in 1925, she returned from France to present The Cowboy Monument, one she also placed on the Capitol's ground of our bordering state; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which I was surprised and even overwhelmed to see because of the incredible relationship of the whole affair. And Ireland, the home of the stone cutters who continued the process of fashioning the aesthetic wonders of the State Capitol initiated by the sons and daughters of the State of Texas.

After having read through a few clippings of the Austin newspapers at the Texas History Center, I found that since May 16,1888, public interest has always been indicative of their support from the day of the dedication of the Sate Capitol to 1891, when the first monument was placed on the Capitol's grounds. And after having viewed the Capitol, especially The Great Walk, I find it equally as interesting as it is attractive.

It was once stated that the Texas State Capitol was one of the greatest edifices ever constructed. After having toured it from The Great Walk, through the pages of history, I am proud to say that it still is and will continue to be one under the care of renovation, liberty and progression.