Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: My Night at the Museum

Jun 5, 2024, 5:08 PM | Updated: 8:44 pm

Jeff with the statue of Martha Hughes Cannon, about to head off to Washington D.C. (Jeff Caplan)

(Jeff Caplan)

Host, Jeff Caplan's Afternoon News

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY –A statue of Martha Hughes Cannon is about to leave Utah, bound for the U.S. Capitol Building. Each state donates a couple statues of renown residents. Martha Hughes Cannon — because this pioneer, who came here as a child, became the first female state senator in the entire country.

Once placed in the Capitol Statuary she’ll be in lofty company. Brigham Young. George Washington. Harry Truman.

I wish these statues could talk, because I’d want one Night at the Museum to ask them each a question.

Utah’s Philo T Farnsworth, who basically invented the television. I’d ask him, ever see the Real Housewives and reconsider?

Samuel Adams, does it bother you that you’re a beer now?

Thomas Edison – Tom, did you know I grew up a couple miles from your lab and my brother tripped on a pothole there and underneath they discovered your secret storage room?

True story.

Thomas, how come the storage room was empty?

Ahhh if these statues could talk. Astronaut Jack Swigert of Apollo 13, depicted at the capitol in his space suit: Jack, after your death you were in a movie. Did you know you were played by Kevin Bacon?

George Washington, don’t lie to me. Did the cherry tree thing really happen?

And for Martha Hughes Cannon, now cast in bronze and bound for Washington.

Statue of Martha Cannon, for your many, many accomplishments, as a speaker, as a doctor … what was it like to run for the Utah senate in 1896, against your husband?

I see. No comment.

Jeff Caplan hosts Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.