Nebraska Campaigns for Statue of Beloved Capitol Cat Cameron

For ten years, a cat named Cameron showed up at Nebraska's State Capitol almost like he had a job to do, and now lawmakers want to make sure he's never forgotten.

Cameron the "Capitol Cat" spent a decade as the unofficial greeter at Lincoln's historic Capitol building, offering comfort to staffers and lawmakers after heated debates and late-night sessions. His owner, Dianna McGinnis, lived downtown, and Cameron made the daily commute to brighten people's days until he retired this May when McGinnis moved to assisted living.

Now, state senators and community members are raising funds for a life-size bronze statue of Cameron to sit on the south side of the Capitol. The 18 to 20 inch sculpture would rest on a limestone pedestal that matches the building's historic stone.

"Let's be real, it would be so freaking cute and everybody would get their picture by it, and his little head would be petted, and it'd be shiny gold because everybody would rub his little head coming in," said state Senator Jana Hughes, who's championing the project.

The statue won't cost taxpayers a dime. Hughes and former state Senator Anna Wishart are pitching the privately funded memorial to the Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission for approval, with fundraising already underway.

They've recruited Benjamin Victor, the celebrated sculptor behind Nebraska's Chief Standing Bear statue in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall. Victor is the only living sculptor with four statues in that prestigious collection, and he remembers meeting Cameron during his visits to Lincoln.

"We all know our pets touch our hearts and they're part of our families," Victor said. "But then to see a cat that just hung around the Capitol all the time and got to know everybody, it's really kind of an amazing story."

Sunny's Take

Wishart says people around Lincoln still ask about Cameron, sharing stories of driving by just to say hello to him. In a place known for political division, this little cat became a reminder of shared humanity that transcended party lines.

Cameron seemed to know when the Capitol would be busy, trotting down the street from home to greet everyone who needed a moment of peace. His presence felt "as old as the stone of the Capitol," Wishart recalled, a constant source of comfort in an often stressful environment.

Supporters are rushing to complete the project while McGinnis, who relocated due to serious health issues, can still appreciate the tribute to her beloved companion.

As of this week, the campaign has raised nearly $3,500 of its $37,500 goal, proving that sometimes the smallest creatures leave the biggest pawprints on our hearts.