<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=40KBLH_1H1lVye300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40KBLH_1H1lVye300" width="1178" height="600" ><figcaption>A rendering of the latest design for the Cameron the Capitol Cat statue. (Courtesy Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission)</figcaption></figure>Cameron the Capitol Cat will be honored with a bronze statue at the Nebraska Capitol.His likeness will be perched atop a retaining wall doubling as a seating area, greeting arriving visitors much like the real cat did for almost 10 years.The Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission approved the proposal for a statue at a hearing in the Capitol building on Thursday. The statue will be situated across the street from the building, between H Street and the employee parking lot. It will include a bronze plaque which will tell Cameron’s story and how he encouraged senators, students, staff and visitors alike during his tenure as the Capitol’s resident greeter.Cameron and his caretaker once lived near the Capitol. But after a near 10-year term, Cameron moved away this spring and lives with his caretaker at her assisted living facility.Many members of the commission originally opposed the idea, arguing that, while Cameron was a sweet cat and the idea of a statue was whimsical, the cat did not rise to the same historical significance as many statues placed around the Capitol grounds. Lincoln planner Collin Christopher pointed out that the cat statue does fall in line with commission regulations, which allow for public art that enhances the pedestrian experience.But at the final meeting about the statue on Thursday, members had nothing but praise and suggestions for improvement. Commissioner David Landis even listed several things that he liked about the final design.“(What) makes this unique from among all of the ways in which the Capitol and its environs are celebrating one thing or another is that you are invited to sit next to the cat,” Landis said. “It invites the pedestrian to sit and enjoy and respond.”Commissioners suggested specific plants to place around the statue so the landscape matches the rest of the Capitol grounds and design materials for the stone retaining wall. Several were adamant that the sitting area come with skatestoppers to prevent skateboarders from using the space."I'd hate to see him clobbered by a skateboarder," Commission Chair Kile Johnson said.The commission broadly felt the designs had greatly improved since the idea was first pitched. State Sen. Jana Hughes, who was joined by former State Sen. Anna Wishart in backing the project, agreed."This is so much better than what we started with," Hughes said.Cameron’s statue was originally going to be placed on top of a pedestal. The approved design, Hughes said, is crafted to require as little maintenance as possible.Nine-year-old Octavia Hampson spoke in favor of the statue.“I need a statue of Cameron the cat,” Hampson said. “He has been at the Capitol for longer than I've been alive. He's super special to all the senators. All the people love him. He's super special to me. Every person I know really wants a statue of him.”The commission unanimously approved the statue.Sculptor Benjamin Victor will create the statue, and Wishart said the final step is to fundraise. She estimated that the total cost to pay the sculptor, materials, installation and maintenance will cost about $50,000. She hopes to hold a ribbon cutting for the statue next Fall.</div></body>

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Cameron the Capitol Cat will be honored with a bronze statue at the Nebraska Capitol. His likeness will be perched atop a retaining wall doubling as a seating area, greeting arriving visitors much like the real cat did for almost 10 years. The Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission approved the proposal...

After initial opposition, Cameron the Capitol Cat gets purr-manent statue

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Cameron the Capitol Cat will be honored with a bronze statue at the Nebraska Capitol. His likeness will be perched atop a retaining wall doubling as a seat

After initial opposition, Cameron the Capitol Cat gets purr-manent statue

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