FAQs
Statue of Responsibility Project FAQ’s Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who came up with the idea for another national monument to “bookend” the Statue of Liberty?
Answer: Dr. Viktor E. Frankl first proposed the idea in the 1960’s during his talks and lectures, and later in his best selling book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’. The book, a personal account of his survival and experiences in the WWII Nazi concentration camps, has been translated into 28 languages and has sold over 9 million copies. The book is on the Library of Congress exclusive list of the “Ten Most Influential Books In America”.
2. Who is Dr. Frankl?
Answer: Born in Vienna, Austria in 1905, Dr. Frankl is a celebrated psychiatrist and the originator of Logotherapy. He Authored more than 30 books and lecturered at 209 universities on five continents. Twenty-nine universities have conferred honorary degrees (doctor honoris causa) upon Dr. Frankl. Has received 19 national and international awards and medals for his work in psychotherapy and psychiatry. He was an avid mountain climber and pilot. An inspiring speaker, he believed that the human spirit can triumph even in the most appalling of human circumstances and find inner peace and moments of joy - even in dire situations. The power of his message comes from having practiced what he preached while a prisoner at Auschwitz and Dachau. Victor Frankl died in 1997. He is survived by his second wife Eleonore and their daughter Gabriele who together founded the Viktor Frankl Institute in 1992 (www.viktorfrankl.org).
3. Will the Statue of Responsibility monument be a shrine to Dr. Viktor E. Frankl and his Logotherapy philosophy?
Answer: While we pay the highest respect to Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, who advanced the idea for building the Statue of Responsibility some forty years ago, the monument will not be a shrine to Viktor Frankl, the man. Rather, it will be his sublime idea that responsibility must go hand-in-hand with liberty that will be enshrined in this monument - clearly visible to all for ages to come.
4. Why are you building the Statue of Responsibility now?
Answer: The idea has been in the public consciousness world-wide for almost 40 years. Now, more than ever, as critical sectors of our society seem to be fraying at the edges, is the time to construct such a monument to shore up these fraying edges. It is hoped, when the Statue of Responsibility stands as tall on the West Coast - as the Statue of Liberty is standing on the East Coast of America - that a national dialogue on the value of responsibility in all strata of society will begin. Victor Hugo, whose impassioned writings on liberty inspired the French to give us Lady Liberty to celebrate our Freedom, said, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” The time for the Statue of Responsibility is now!
5. How tall will it stand?
Answer: The Statue of Responsibility will stand 300-feet above ground level just as the Statue of Liberty stands 300 feet above ground level.
6. Will there be an observation deck on top?
Answer: Yes. There will be an indoor observation deck and an outdoor observation deck on top of the monument. Additionally, two restaurants and a gift store are planned at the top of the monument. See the “Architectural Renderings” main menu option on the web site for pictures.
7. Who is behind the Statue of Responsibility project?
Answer: As you review our project materials and web site, you will notice several national and international dignitaries who are now involved in the Statue of Responsibility project. Our Foundation has secured, and continues to invite, broad-based involvement from
“Friends of Freedom” in all nations, faith traditions, political persuasions, business communities, and from individuals of every age, gender, and race. “Friends of Freedom” are those who put love of country above any specific political platform, and who put love of freedom above all else. See web site main menu “Call to Action” and look at the available funding options.
8. How much will it cost?
Answer: Current project cost is $300 million for the Statue of Responsibility Monument, Visitors’ Center, internal structures, Monument Pathway, and establishing the Educational Scholarship Fund. See web site menu “About Us” and look for “Monument Facts” for cost comparisons to other national monuments.
9. Why spend $300 million on a monument when the money could be donated to the poor?
Answer: The message of the Statue of Responsibility, as the message of the Statue of Liberty, is one that cannot be quantified or justified by a price tag. The principles of liberty and responsibility, as they relate to freedom, are priceless. It is often said that freedom is not free. Likewise, the cost to design and build our national monuments is a cost that is overshadowed by the messages they convey. Under the “About Us” menu button, look for the “Monument Facts” page for a comparison to other national monuments.
10. Won’t the Statue of Responsibility just be another target for terrorists?
Answer: America never has, and America never will, cower to those who attempt to destroy the core values that lie at the very heart of our country. In 2004, Secretary of State, Colin Powell, said this about monuments, “They can teach us much about the ideas that unite us in our diversity, the values that sustain us in times of trial, and the dream that inspires generation after generation of ordinary Americans to perform extraordinary acts of service. In short, our monuments and memorials tell us a great deal about America’s commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.”
11. Are my tax dollars paying for the monument?
Answer: The Statue of Responsibility is being funded by the private sector. In order to facilitate the building of this monument, the Statue of Responsibility Foundation was organized.
12. What is the purpose of the Statue of Responsibility Foundation?
Answer: Our purpose is two-fold:
* First, is to raise the funding necessary to construct the monument.
* Second, and more long-term in nature, is to establish an educational scholarship fund. Scholarships will be given to applicants who can show financial need and who can demonstrate how they have applied the principle of responsibility in their life – and how they plan to carry forward the same principle following their university graduation.
13. Who will pay for it?
Answer: You are invited as a private citizen, a corporation, a charitable foundation or trust, etc., to make this monument financially possible. The project seeks “Friends of Freedom” from America and around the world to assist financially. See our web site (www.sorfoundation.org) main menu “Call to Action” and look at the available ways you may help. Click here to Make A Donation.
14. Who is the sculptor?
Answer: Gary Lee Price, NSS, a professional sculptor for the past 20 years, is a member of the National Sculpture Society. Married for 23 years, he and his wife Lanea are parents of five boys. Gary is a highly collected artist throughout the United States and internationally. Several large monuments have been created by Mr. Price. One such monument was dedicated by former First Lady, Rosalyn Carter. One of the largest libraries in the world, the Hong Kong Central Library, features 12 life-size Price sculptures. Mr. Price creates sculpture with meaning. His life-long motto is to “lift the human spirit through sculpture”. His detailed biography can be seen on this web site under “About the Artist” and on his private studio web site: www.garyleepricesculpture.com. A 13-foot clay prototype has been completed and resides in the sculptor’s private studio.
15. How was the sculptor selected?
Answer: In 1997, Kevin Hall, speaking for the original committee of four, commissioned internationally recognized sculptor, Gary Lee Price, to design and sculpt the Statue of Responsibility.
16. How does the design of the two clasping hands relate to responsibility?
Answer: The symbol of clasping hands is universal in both its message and its power. The design is simple, yet powerful - it evokes an emotional response that wants to take action. It is significant that the hands are vertical, not horizontal. The vertical representation communicates equally the act of giving and asking for help. It is a shared message of being responsible to one’s self and others.
17. Are the two clasping hands female, male, or one of each?
Answer: The two hands are a figurative representation of all races, genders, and nationalities. They are symbolic of all human hands.
18. Can I buy a small version of the Statue of Responsibility?
Answer: Several small versions of the Statue of Responsibility will become available as time draws closer to the final construction stages of the 300-foot monument. Information on these smaller versions will be presented on the Statue of Responsibility web site; also on the sculptor’s web site.
19. Where will the monument be located?
Answer: Dr. Frankl proposed that a Statue of Responsibility be located on the West Coast of America. It will be placed on an island in the harbor of a major port city. Four cities have been reviewed for the location of the monument: San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; and , Seattle, WA.
20. Will the monument be built on a private or public island?
Answer: Several island locations are under consideration. Some of these locations are on private land, some are on state parks. The final decision as to which island, and exactly where the monument will be erected on a particular island, has not yet been made.
21. When will the Statue of Responsibility be built?
Answer: We anticipate as early as 2012. The monument will be completed as soon as a final city, location and funding are secured. Actual construction will take approximately two years.
22. How long will it take to build the monument?
Answer: Once construction is begun, it will take approximately two years to complete the building of the monument.
23. Will the monument become a national park?
Answer: There will come a time when the monument will be offered to the federal government as a national park, similar to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ultimately, The Statue of Responsibility will be gifted to America by Americans and by “Friends of Freedom” from around the world…
24. Why does America need a companion monument to Lady Liberty?
Answer: We take great pride in our liberty, but often neglect to see that it brings a corresponding responsibility with it. The Statue of Responsibility, as a companion monument to Lady Liberty, would spark a national dialogue on the intrinsic worth of both. Such open dialogue, in time, will lead to greater awareness of responsible choices. All segments of society – education, business, religion, government, the military, family, and the individual – will benefit. It will result in more responsible actions, personally and collectively, toward each other, our neighbors on the planet, and our common home – the Earth.
25. How will “Friends of Freedom” from other nations be represented?
Answer: Because the message that liberty and responsibility need to go hand-in-hand is as much for the world as it is for America, a Monument Pathway is planned to surround the monument. This multi-acre, tree-lined walkway will feature contributing sculptures from countries around the world. Invitations will be issued to all nations to participate. Those willing to participate will select a sculptor of their choice to design a sculpture that artistically portrays their concept of freedom. These sculptures will stand up to 30-feet tall and will communicate a world-wide visual commitment to the principle of freedom and the defining principles of liberty and responsibility.
26. How can I help?
Answer: Become a “Friend of Freedom” by supporting the vision and mission of the Statue of Responsibility Foundation. See the “Call to Action” main menu option on the Foundation web site for specific suggestions on how you can help. More ways to help will become available as the Foundation grows and further options will be posted on our web site. Suggestions are always welcome. All donations to the Statue of Responsibility Foundation will be tax deductible because the organization is an authorized 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt corporation.
