Capitol lawn will get calf statue

By BILL LUCKETT
Star-Tribune capital bureau

CHEYENNE -- Visitors to the State Capitol Building here will soon have a new statue to feast their eyes upon.

A lone calf, kicking its feet into the air, will soon take up residence on the Capitol's southwest lawn, in honor of former Gov. Cliff Hansen.

Hansen is a past president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, according to group Director Jim Magagna. Hansen went on to serve one term as Wyoming's governor, from 1963 to 1967, and two terms as U.S. senator, from 1967 to 1978.

Magagna said the calf's significance will be two-fold, in honor of the contributions both Hansen and the cattle industry have made to the state.

"We thought this was a fitting way to recognize him, and in doing so, it recognizes the role the cattle industry has played in the state, but it will be dedicated to Cliff Hansen," Magagna said.

The Stock Growers Association got permission from the State Building Commission, which is made up of the five state elected officials, to erect the statue in honor of Hansen. A dedication ceremony is planned for June 9, to coincide with the cattle industry convention in Cheyenne June 8-11.

The calf will join three other statues surrounding the Capitol. A bronze of Esther Hobart Morris, the first female justice of the peace, greets visitors in front of the building's main entrance. To the west of the building is a horse trying to buck off a cowboy, while on the east side is a bison similar to that on the state flag.

Magagna said the bronze calf statue was created by noted Wyoming sculptor and artist Jerry Palen of Saratoga.

Palen also sculpted the calf statue that graces the front side of Wyoming Stock Growers Association headquarters in Cheyenne. But while that statue depicts a calf lying down, Magagna said the new sculpture is going to look a little more lively.

"This calf is going to be standing up and kicking with its tail up and its feet in the air, like it's having a good time," he said.

State Auditor Max Maxfield voted against placing the sculpture on the Capitol lawn, because he worried that it might set a precedent that could lead to too many sculptures on the grounds, he said.

Maxfield said Hansen was a great governor who deserves the recognition, but it might be hard for the State Building Commission to deny future requests from other groups that want to recognize people who have made contributions to the state.

Capital bureau reporter Bill Luckett can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at bill.luckett@casperstartribune.net.