Rosa Parks, Helen Keller statues sought at Alabama Capitol

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have voted to place statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller on the grounds of the state Capitol.

State senators on Tuesday voted 29-0 for the bill. The legislation now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.

The bill by Rep. Laura Hall creates a Women’s Tribute Statue Commission to fund, commission and place statues of Parks and Keller on the Capitol grounds.

Parks was arrested Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery city bus to a white passenger. Her arrest helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the civil rights movement.

Keller, who was both deaf and blind, became a world-famous author and activist.