Savannah senator wants Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas statue on state Capitol grounds

State Sen. Ben Watson (R-District 1) wants to see a statue of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas be erected on the grounds of the state Capitol in Atlanta. Sen. Lester Jackson (D-District 2) said he is not opposed to the idea.

"Clarence Thomas is a native son," Watson said, "initially was born in Pin Point, and was raised in town [Savannah], was a big, big user of that Carnegie [Library]. ... was a product of Catholic school growing up and eventually ended up at Yale Law School."

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Watson said he was approached by Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, GA, with a proposal to co-sign a bill to be introduced during the General Assembly’s session beginning in January 2022.

“Being the senator from Savannah who represents Pin Point, I think it's appropriate for me to be signing on to the bill that Sen. Anavitarte will be proposing,” Watson added.

Thomas is the second Black justice appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, following Justice Thurgood Marshall who sat on the bench from 1967-91. Thomas was appointed in 1991.

Because the proposal is still in the early stages, Watson did not have specifics on the cost, design, artist, or who will pay for the statue.

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Thomas was born on June 23, 1948, in Pin Point and was raised in Savannah. He attended St. John Vianney Minor Seminary near Savannah before furthering his education at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Missouri and, later, Yale Law School, according to information provided by Watson. 

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He was appointed to the high court by President George H.W. Bush, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and sworn in on Oct. 18, 1991. “Through hard work he overcame poverty and injustice," Watson added. "All Georgians can come together to honor the professional and personal accomplishments of our state's native son.”

"Justice Clarence Thomas has a remarkable record of achievement," Jackson said. His rise from an impoverished young man from Pin Point "to be a justice of the Supreme Court is nothing less than remarkable, if not improbable. 

"I'm not opposed to a statue being erected in his honor," he added.

Watson hopes the bill will continue to garner support as it works its way through the legislature. “It will certainly get strong support, and we would think that will raise their awareness, and hopefully get the job done,” Watson added.

Barbara Augsdorfer is the education and nonprofits reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Reach her at BAugsdorfer@gannett.com or on Twitter @Babs7983.