Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission goes to Washington D.C. for unveiling of Johnny Cash Statue

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A group of young Arkansans are headed to our nation’s Capital with the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission this week for a very special tribute to Arkansas legend, Johnny Cash.

On Tuesday, Washington D.C. and local officials will gather inside the Statuary Hall at The United States Capitol for the official unveiling ceremony of Johnny Cash’ statue.

Cash’s statue will be the second Arkansas representation in the Hall alongside Daisy Bates.

DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director of the commission says they took multiple students from Rivercrest, White Hall and Watson Chapel School Districts with them on the trip as part of their 2024 Dream Keepers Tour.

“What better way to recognize and pay tribute to Johnny Cash than to have the band and music department students with us,” Scarbrough said. “Johnny Cash is truly an icon in many ways not only as an humanitarian but as an individual who spoke through his music.”

On their way to D.C. the commission made several stops at historical markers in Memphis, Tennessee like at The National Civil Rights Museum and Sun Studio where Cash recorded the hit song, ‘I Walk The Line’ in 1956.

Gabbi Wynne, a student at Rivercrest School District, says despite it being the first day on the trip she has already learned things.

“I feel like I learned a lot about him even just by listening to his music,” Wynne said. “Sun Records was really cool because I have been really interested in music for a long time and seeing where icons like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley recorded was really cool.”

Scarbrough says every day students will continue to learn more while on the Dream Tour, as he hopes their message of unity is felt by all.

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