The top Democratic and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill will put aside their partisan bickering for a moment on Wednesday just long enough to unveil the new statue of former President Ronald Reagan.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., along with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will be joined by House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. for the unveiling. Nancy Reagan will be at the event, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Reagan’s former chief of staff, James A. Baker.
Reagan’s likeness will occupy prime real estate in the Capitol Rotunda, which also houses the statue of former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Washington.
There is room in the Capitol for two statues from each of the 50 states, so Reagan’s arrival will mean the removal of either Father Junipero Serra, an 18th century Spanish Missionary, or 19th century preacher Thomas Starr King, who is credited with saving California from becoming a separate republic.
