Johnny Cash statue unveiled at U.S. Capitol: 'America is about more than laws'

Members of the iconic musician's family attended the ceremony, as well as lawmakers from both of America's political parties.

The Man in Black has come to Congress. On Wednesday, American lawmakers unveiled a new statue of country music legend Johnny Cash, now installed at the U.S. Capitol to represent his home state of Arkansas.

Each of the 50 states in the United States is represented by two statues (often one man and one woman, but not always). Uriah Rose and Sen. James Clarke used to represent Arkansas, but they were replaced in 2019 for their support of the Confederacy and racial segregation. Earlier this year, a statue of civil rights activist Daisy Bates (who mentored and supported the Little Rock Nine) was installed to replace Rose, and now Cash will take Clarke's place.

Related: Johnny Cash's kids 'sickened' by neo-Nazi wearing Cash shirt

“Some may ask: Why should a musician have a statue here in the halls of the great American republic?” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said at the unveiling ceremony. “The answer is pretty simple. It’s because America is about more than laws and politics."

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Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle were present during the ceremony, as was Cash's sister Joanne Cash. His brother Tommy Cash, unfortunately, died earlier this month.

Born on Feb. 26, 1932 to poor cotton farmers in Kingsland, Ark., Cash rose to fame in the '50s as part of the burgeoning rockabilly scene. Known for his all-black ensemble, which earned him the sobriquet "The Man in Black" (which he also later used for the name of a 1971 protest song), Cash's most famous songs include "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," and "A Boy Named Sue," among others.

In his later years, Cash found inspiration in newer artists and genres. Younger generations might know him best for his cover of "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails, which has often been in used in trailers for movies like Logan.

Related: John Carter Cash explains Rick Rubin's influence on Johnny Cash's work

Cash's wide popularity and influence on artists outside of the country music genre was highlighted by Democratic Party's House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, during the ceremony.

“He called Johnny Cash a real American gangster. That a compliment from Snoop Doggy Dogg,” Jeffries said, according to the Associated Press. “What a life, what a legend, what a legacy.”

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