Committee to consider statue of Wisconsin’s first Black SOS

MADISON, Wis. — The board in charge of decorations at the state Capitol in Madison has voted to create a committee to study the prospect of placing a statue of Wisconsin’s first Black secretary of state on the building’s grounds.

The State Capitol and Executive Residence Board voted unanimously Monday to create a subcommittee that will work with a community task force and state officials on a proposal to erect a $241,000 statue of Vel Phillips.

The board did not vote on whether to actually build the statue, however. The board’s vice-chairwoman, Amy Loudenbeck, said the board needs more information on the proposal.

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