Akin’s Katie Brossy Leads Firm’s Pro Bono Effort to Place Johnny Cash Statue in US Capitol

An eight-foot-tall bronze statue of music legend Johnny Cash will represent the state of Arkansas at the US Capitol, as a result of pro bono efforts led by Katie Brossy, senior counsel in the firm’s lobbying and public policy practice.

This is the fourth placement Katie has secured in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall collection which includes two statues symbolizing each state. Cash’s statue, complete with his guitar and bible, will be placed in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor’s Center. Daisy Bates, a revered Arkansas civil rights activist is also featured at the Capitol in Statuary Hall.

Katie’s coordination was pivotal in bringing both Cash and Bates into the collection, following a legislative move by the State of Arkansas to replace two statues installed in 1937. Her efforts started with her home State of Nebraska, where she facilitated the replacement of older statues with those of renowned writer Willa Cather and Standing Bear, a civil rights leader and Chief of the Ponca Tribe to which Katie herself belongs.

“It’s become a passion and a privilege to bring this kind of permanent recognition to the people who have shaped our country’s history and culture in unique and significant ways. The process of working with individual states to determine who meaningfully represents their values is a powerful reflection on our past, and a way to set the course for our future,” said Katie who represented the State of Arkansas’ Secretary of State’s Office. “Katie has carved a unique path as a pro bono lawyer, helping states express their values through the placement of new statues in Statuary Hall,” added Steven Schulman, Akin pro bono partner.

Notably, Johnny Cash is the first professional musician to be honored in the prestigious Statuary Hall Collection. The dedication marking a historic moment for both Arkansas and the legacy of Johnny Cash will be live-streamed on September 24, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m here: Speaker Mike Johnson - YouTube.

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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