Texas lawmaker wants University of Texas to give him the statue of former governor State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, (R)-Angleton, sent a letter to the university calling the removal of James Stephen Hogg, Texas' first native-born governor, "disrespectful."

James Stephen Hogg by Pompeo Coppini - University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA. Created circa 1923. James Stephen Hogg by Pompeo Coppini - University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA. Created circa 1923. Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Texas lawmaker wants University of Texas to give him the statue of former governor 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

A Texas lawmaker wants the University of Texas at Austin to give him the statue of a former governor that was removed from campus Sunday night along with three others representing the Confederacy.

State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, (R)-Angleton, sent a letter to the university calling the removal of James Stephen Hogg, Texas' first native-born governor, "disrespectful."

"[West Columbia] Mayor Laurie Kincannon and the citizens of West Columbia join me in expressing our disapointment in your decision, which has cast a negative light on a prominent and respected figure in Texas history," Bonnen wrote. "Given the contributions to our state from Governor Hogg and the findings of the Task Force, I find the 'so it all goes together' argument wholly inadequate, dismissive, and disrespectful."

REMOVED: UT takes down Confederate statues late Sunday night





Bonnen is specifically referencing how the university justified the statue's removal because it considered it part of one exhibit. At the time, the university claimed Hogg's statue may be re-installed elsewhere on campus.

The other three statues were of Robert E. Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston and John Reagan.

Bonnen discussed his letter to the university on Facebook adding he would "rent the moving truck if [Kincannon did] the driving" so the statue could be placed in West Columbia.

A request for comment has been placed with Bonnen.