Dolly Parton has turned down another recognition that was offered to her, this time, from her home state of Tennessee. In a statement, Parton said he asked lawmakers not to consider a bill to erect a statue of her on the grounds of the state Capitol. That comes just weeks after the country’s superstar was revealed he rejected the Presidential Medal of Freedom, twice.
“I want to thank the Tennessee legislature for considering a bill to erect a statue of me on the Capitol precinct,” says Parton’s statement, shared on his social media pages. “I am honored and humiliated for their intent, but I have asked the leaders of the state legislature to withdraw the bill from any consideration.”
The bill, introduced by state Rep. John Mark Windle, was passed by a state House committee on Feb. 9. However, if Parton has his way, he will not go any further.
“Given everything that’s going on in the world, right now I don’t think it’s appropriate to put myself on a pedestal,” Parton’s statement continued. “However, I hope that somewhere along the way in a few years or maybe after I’m gone if you still feel you deserve it, I’m sure I’ll be proud of our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessee.”
The bill’s introduction comes after an online petition was created last year to urge Tennessee State House to replace the state’s Confederate statues with Parton statues. “Aside from her beautiful music, which has touched the hearts and lives of millions of Americans, Dolly Parton’s philanthropic heart has unquestionably changed the world for the better,” the petition says.
Parton founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, which focuses on literacy and education in the home county of Sevier County, Tennessee. And their donations have been globalized recently. In November, it was revealed that it helped fund research into the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna.
The music icon and the philanthropist made one Contribution of one million dollars towards coronavirus research efforts at Vanderbilt University in April.
Although Parton has done much for his home state and the world, he has remained humble and turned down recognition for his work.
During an interview with NBC’s Today’s earlier this month, Parton revealed he was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the Trump administration twice. “I couldn’t accept it because my husband was sick. Then they asked me about it again and I wouldn’t travel because of COVID.”
“Now I have a feeling that if I take it, I’ll do politics, so I’m not sure,” he said, adding that she’s not even sure if she deserves it.
Parton concluded his statement about the Tennessee statue by saying that “he will continue to try to do a good job of making this great state proud.”