{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-fellow-republican-senators-urge-trump-include-charlie-kirk-national-garden-american", "Hyde-Smith, fellow Republican Senators urge Trump to include Charlie Kirk in National Garden of American Heroes", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "hydesmith", "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "scraper", "The National Garden is to feature statues of historical American figures who have contributed to the nation\u2019s cultural, scientific, economic, and political heritage.\n\nBy Frank Corder\n\nMississippi U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) has joined with 14 of her Senate colleagues in recommending the inclusion of Charlie Kirk, the assassinated founder of Turning Point USA, in the National Garden of American Heroes.\n\nThe Senators said the inclusion of Kirk in the National Garden \u201cwould not only honor his personal achievements but would also underscore the vital role that civic engagement plays in our national heritage.\u201d\n\nThe National Garden of American Heroes supports the design and creation of statues of historical figures from America\u2019s past who have contributed to the nation\u2019s cultural, scientific, economic, and political heritage.\n\nThe National Garden of American Heroes, proposed by President Donald Trump (R) during his first term, is set to open in July 2026 in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.\n\nIn a letter to President Trump asking him to include the slain Turning Point USA founder, the Senators cited Kirk\u2019s historic contributions to the nation.\n\n\u201cCharlie Kirk has made significant contributions as a leader in civic education, grassroots organization, and public dialogue. Through his work, he has inspired countless young Americans to engage in civic life and to appreciate the responsibilities of citizenship,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cHis efforts highlight the enduring importance of free expression, active participation, and leadership in strengthening our democracy.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Hyde-Smith, the letter was led by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and also signed by U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).\n\nErika Kirk, now CEO & Board Chair of Turning Point USA, said her husband forever changed the direction of the country, \u201cand he made it a better place for our children, young people, and families.\u201d\n\n\u201cCharlie\u2019s legacy will be felt for generations to come,\u201d Erika Kirk said. \u201cMy husband was a modern American Founding Father, and he deserves every honor and accolade this nation can bestow on him.\u201d\n\nIn Executive Order 13978 on January 18, 2021, President Trump said the National Garden will be a place where citizens, young and old, can renew their vision of greatness and \u201ctake up the challenge that I gave every American in my first address to Congress, to \u2018[b]elieve in yourselves, believe in your future, and believe, once more, in America.'\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-fellow-republican-senators-urge-trump-include-charlie-kirk-national-garden-american"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7616740185767412, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}