Philo Farnsworth
"Father of Television"
Utah native
The heroic size bronze statue was established through action by the Utah Legislature to recognize a favorite son. Each state is allowed two statues in the United States Capitol Building, and Utah had just the one statue of Brigham Young. Three bronze statues now exist. One in the United States Capitol Statuary Hall, one in the Utah State Capitol Rotunda, and one in front of the Beaver, UT Civic Hall.
As a high school boy, Philo perceived how to transmit electronic images through a dissector tube, which he is depicted as holding. This and other inventions, for which he holds patents, have been key elements within every television of its type since.
I became involved in the the passage of the Philo legislation after its defeat in the State Senate. Having worked with the Senate for years and understanding Philo's Utah heritage, I initiated lobbying specific Senators that had opposed the bill by highlighting Philo's Utah roots common to their specific regions of the state. These key opponents reversed their positions and moved the Senate reconsider its action as to the defeated legislation. The measure was approved and the Governor sealed the deal.
Governor Norman H. Bangerter appointed a Commission for the Arts to create and fund a bronze statue for placement in the United States Capitol Statuary Hall. As a Commission member, I worked with former Governor Scott M. Matheson serving as our Finance Committee Chair to raise the needed funding. I also worked with First Lady Colleen Bangerter and Commission Chairman Dr. Bruce Barnson on site in Washington, DC to plan the Capitol Rotunda Ceremony and placement of the Philo Statue in the United States Capitol Statuary Hall.
Artist James Avati created the statue. Neil Hadlock cast the bronze image.
