FLORIDA — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a statue of former President Calvin Coolidge Wednesday as part of the state’s America 250 Initiative, commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary.
In a statement released prior to the ceremony, DeSantis highlighted Coolidge’s legacy: “Coolidge governed as a constitutionalist, eliminated debt, balanced the budget, reduced taxes, and promoted a unified American civic tradition and culture.”
The statue was placed at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, the location where Coolidge delivered his dedication address for Mountain Lake Sanctuary in 1929 — one of his final public appearances as president. DeSantis also noted Coolidge’s enduring relevance to America’s founding ideals: “I think if the founding fathers looked over the last hundred years, I think Coolidge would be most of their favorite president for how he was dedicated to limited government and the Constitution.”
The governor has already unveiled six statues across Florida under the America 250 Initiative, including those of former presidents James Monroe and Ronald Reagan.
Coolidge, a Republican from Vermont who served as president from 1923 to 1929, oversaw the “Roaring Twenties.” During his administration, he signed into law the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans, and established the U.S. Border Patrol.
DeSantis was joined by Secretary of State Cord Byrd and other national leaders for the unveiling ceremony at Bok Tower Gardens.
