Native American civil rights icon Chief Standing Bear stands tall in the U.S. Capitol.A ceremony Wednesday unveiled the new bronze statue of the Ponca chief in Statuary Hall.Nebraska Representative Jeff Fortenberry called the statue "breathtaking" and the ceremony "deeply moving.""It really is about a story of dignity and courage and perseverance. Standing Bear's willingness to stand forth for the essence of human dignity and in turn become one of America's great civil rights leaders," said Fortenberry.The U.S. government forced the Ponca tribe from their homeland in Nebraska in 1877. Chief Standing Bear was arrested as he returned to the Nebraska reservation to bury his son, who died on the journey to what was then called Indian Territory.The Chief successfully sued the government and won his freedom, becoming the first native american to speak before a federal court.Nebraska's full congressional delegation, Governor Pete Ricketts, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer attended the ceremony."Chief Standing Bear was a man who exemplified all of these qualities and more," said Nebraska U.S. Senator Ben Sasse. "He was a man dedicated to his family and his people. His legacy has lived on and I am proud to welcome his statue to our Nation’s Capitol.” Senator Deb Fischer called Chief Standing Bear an American Hero.'"It was a privilege to join so many Nebraskans, Ponca tribe members, and colleagues today at his statue dedication ceremony. The statue will inspire the millions of people who visit National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol every year to learn about his enduring commitment to equality and human freedom,” said Fischer.Nebraska State Senator Tom Brewer also took part in the ceremony. Brewer led the effort to bring the statue to Washington, and replace the statue of William Jennings Bryan in Statuary Hall.

Native American civil rights icon Chief Standing Bear stands tall in the U.S. Capitol.

A ceremony Wednesday unveiled the new bronze statue of the Ponca chief in Statuary Hall.


KETV

Nebraska Representative Jeff Fortenberry called the statue "breathtaking" and the ceremony "deeply moving."

"It really is about a story of dignity and courage and perseverance. Standing Bear's willingness to stand forth for the essence of human dignity and in turn become one of America's great civil rights leaders," said Fortenberry.

The U.S. government forced the Ponca tribe from their homeland in Nebraska in 1877. Chief Standing Bear was arrested as he returned to the Nebraska reservation to bury his son, who died on the journey to what was then called Indian Territory.

The Chief successfully sued the government and won his freedom, becoming the first native american to speak before a federal court.

KETV

Nebraska's full congressional delegation, Governor Pete Ricketts, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer attended the ceremony.

"Chief Standing Bear was a man who exemplified all of these qualities and more," said Nebraska U.S. Senator Ben Sasse. "He was a man dedicated to his family and his people. His legacy has lived on and I am proud to welcome his statue to our Nation’s Capitol.”



KETV

Senator Deb Fischer called Chief Standing Bear an American Hero.'

"It was a privilege to join so many Nebraskans, Ponca tribe members, and colleagues today at his statue dedication ceremony. The statue will inspire the millions of people who visit National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol every year to learn about his enduring commitment to equality and human freedom,” said Fischer.

Nebraska State Senator Tom Brewer also took part in the ceremony. Brewer led the effort to bring the statue to Washington, and replace the statue of William Jennings Bryan in Statuary Hall.