COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The late John Glenn could soon be among the Ohio greats memorialized on the Statehouse grounds.

A graduate student from New York is leading the charge for a statue and painting of the hero to be housed in the state capitol. Glenn, a former Democrat U.S. senator, astronaut and fighter pilot, died Dec. 8 at age 95.

Adam Sackowitz, 25, has studied Glenn's life and work for years, making it the topic of his graduate thesis. Sackowitz said Glenn was a true American and Ohio hero who deserves to be recognized at the Statehouse.

"He was so beloved by everyone," Sackowitz said. "John Glenn brought people together."

Sackowitz' observation would appear to be true, even in death. Sakowitz, who is active in Republican politics in his home state, is working closely with Ohio Democrat state Rep. Michael Sheehy on the proposal.

Sheehy said he plans to introduce the idea to fellow representatives this week, and he'll introduce legislation for the statue if necessary.

"He's probably the greatest Ohioan of my time and I'd like to see him recognized," Sheehy said.

Both Sheehy and Sackowitz said private donations could be raised to cover the cost of a statue and painting.

Sackowitz, who met Glenn in 2014, said he'd like the statue to depict Glenn from his Mercury 7 days, when he was the first American to orbit the earth, and be placed in the rotunda or other prominent location. A man in a spacesuit is more likely to get the attention of curious schoolchildren visiting the Statehouse than another guy in a suit, he said.

"When I think of John Glenn, I think of him in 1962 as that young, redheaded freckle-faced heroic astronaut because he brought so much hope to the country," Sackowitz said. "I think that's how a lot Ohioans remember him -- as that young, exuberant astronaut."

Sackowitz is also working with state officials to designate Glenn's birthplace in Cambridge, Ohio, as an historic landmark.