Dolly Parton declined yet another award offered to her – this time from her home state of Tennessee. In a statement, Parton said he asked lawmakers not to consider a bill that would allow the construction of a statue of her on the state Capitol grounds. This happened a few weeks after the country superstar revealed that she refused the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice.
“I want to thank the Tennessee legislature for its consideration of a bill to erect a statue of me on Capitol Hill,” says Parton’s statement, shared on its social media pages. “I am honored and humble for your intention, but I asked the leaders of the state legislature to withdraw the bill from any and all consideration.”
The bill, presented by state deputy John Mark Windle, was approved by a state committee of the House on February 9. However, if Parton gets what he wants, he will not go further.
“Considering everything that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting myself on a pedestal is appropriate at this point,” Parton’s statement continued. “I hope, though, that somewhere in several years or perhaps after I’m gone, if you still think I deserve it, I’m sure I’ll be proud of our great state capitol as a grateful Tennessean.”
The introduction of the bill comes after an online petition was created last year to urge Tennessee State House to replace statues of Confederates in the state with statues of Parton. “In addition to her beautiful music, which touched the hearts and lives of millions of Americans, Dolly Parton’s philanthropic heart has undoubtedly changed the world for the better,” says the petition.
Parton created the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, which focuses on literacy and education in his home county of Sevier County, Tennessee. And your donation has recently gone global. In November, it was revealed that she helped fund research for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Modern.
The music icon and philanthropist made a Contribution of $ 1 million toward coronavirus research efforts at Vanderbilt University in April.
Although Parton did much for her home state – and for the world – she remained humble and refused praise for her work.
During an interview with NBC’s “Today” program earlier this month, Parton revealed she was offered the Presidential Medial of Freedom by the Trump administration twice. “I couldn’t accept it because my husband was sick. Then I was asked again and I didn’t want to travel because of COVID.”
“Now I feel that if I accept it, I will be doing politics, so I’m not sure,” she said, adding that she isn’t even sure if she deserves it.
Parton concluded his statement on the Tennessee statue by saying that “he will continue to try to do a good job of making this great state proud”.