Republican Senate Candidates Suggest Long Island Homes For Teddy Roosevelt Statue

In a rush to remove history from all public spaces, the leaders of the Museum of Natural History have recently called for New York City to remove a statue of President Theodore Roosevelt from its entrance. In an effort to ensure that the legacy of this American hero is protected in this age of extreme “cleansing” of American history in New York City,  three Republican candidates for New York State Senate have offered to help find an appropriate new location for the memorial.

All three of the community leaders have offered educational locations within the districts they are looking to represent. Each one suggested specific sites for the statue so that future generations are able to continue learning about the important work of Teddy Roosevelt and the impact his life had on the course of our nation.

Anthony Palumbo, the Republican and Conservative nominee for New York’s 1st Senate District, recommended moving the statue to Camp Wikoff in Montauk County Park to better enable area residents to honor Roosevelt’s brave defense of America: “With Camp Wikoff memorializing the selflessness of Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Riders and thousands of soldiers during the Spanish American War, moving this important historical figure’s likeness here would allow so many to pay tribute to this American hero. While it is troubling to say the least that the Museum of Natural History is willingly accepting of efforts to remove history from its front door, Long Islanders are by and large happy to welcome this monument to our region. It would be better for the museum leadership to recognize their error but their failure to do so provides us with a great opportunity to give President Roosevelt a home.”

Joining Palumbo in the call for Teddy Roosevelt to come home to Long Island was Alexis Weik, candidate for New York’s 3rd Senate District, who stated her support for moving the statue to Sayville as it is the home of the John Ellis Roosevelt Estate.  The Republican and Conservative nominee for the Senate recommended the move to the area that houses the estate of Teddy Roosevelt’s cousin to provide a historical perspective to visitors.

“To retroactively attempt to erase all that Teddy Roosevelt did for our nation, from his military service to his leadership on conservation efforts, is an affront to our collective history. While the leaders of the Museum of Natural History seem to be accepting of wiping away our history, the residents of the 3rd Senate District are proud to call ourselves home to a memorial to his great family and their impact on our nation. The area is a perfect spot for the statue and a fitting way to remember the significance of Theodore Roosevelt. I am happy and willing to work with all interested parties to protect his legacy,” stated Weik.

To help ensure that the tribute to one of America’s greatest presidents is provided with a proper home, 5th Senate District Ed Smyth also offered a very suitable location in his area to serve as the new home for the statue. Smyth, who is the Republican, Conservative and Independence nominee for the district, called for the statue to be moved to the historic Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.

“Sagamore Hill was Teddy Roosevelt’s home during his life and would make a great location to honor this great American. To add this statue to this nationally known memorial would be welcome by all who come to visit the site to remember his lifelong work that still positively impacts the lives of all Americans and is a source of great pride for many Long Islanders. The shortsighted decision of Museum leadership should be a benefit for a community that reveres President Roosevelt and we would welcome him home,” stated Smyth.

While all three Republican candidates have proposed a variety of sites for the memorial, they are united in their belief that Roosevelt’s statue should come to Long Island if the leadership of the Museum of Natural History fails to remedy their lack of historical perspective.  They are committed to working together to find the most suitable and acceptable location for the memorial and will work together to ensure that this great Long Islander’s contributions to our country is always recognized.