SEN. TALENT SECURES FUNDING FOR TRUMAN STATUE AT UNION STATION KANSAS CITY

(WASHINGTON, D.C. 9/23/03)  U.S. Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.) today secured key funding to erect a statue of Harry S Truman at Union Station Kansas City atop a 20-ft high limestone pedestal that has remained empty since 1914.  Sen. Talent obtained $50,000 for the statue as part of the Interior Appropriations bill passed Tuesday night by the full Senate.

"I am very pleased we could get this funding for Union Station and the Kansas City area," said Sen. Talent, who serves Missouri in the state's Senate seat once held by Truman.  "This statue represents a historical connection with Greater Kansas City, its urban development and continuing efforts to transform the area into a transportation hub.  It is an appropriate tribute to the city's spirit and a great Missourian."

In the original plans for Union Station, built in 1914, the central bay of the façade was left with an empty, 20-ft high limestone pedestal.  Architect Jarvis Hunt left it that way for city officials to install a statue.  Despite several suggestions through the years, the pedestal has remained unoccupied for nearly a century.  There are only a few statues of Truman in the world including Athens, Greece, where the Truman Doctrine was signed, however, there are none in Kansas City.

"We are grateful for Senator Talent's support of this project," said Turner White, CEO of Union Station Kansas City.  "Architect Jarvis Hunt's original design for Union Station called for a statue of a great community leader to be placed on the pedestal in front of the building.  Ninety years later, thanks to Senator Talent's efforts, we have initial funding to erect the first statue of Harry S Truman in Kansas City.  Union Station is honored to provide the backdrop for this respected Missouri and national icon."