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Museum Official: Former Maine Senator Statue Project Too Costly

AUGUSTA, Maine - A bill that would install a statue of a former Maine senator in the U.S. Capitol and replace one of a onetime vice president for Abraham Lincoln has been put on hold.

A statute of Hannibal Hamlin currently sits in the U.S. Capitol. The Portland Press Herald reports that a bill to replace his statue with one of Margaret Chase Smith stalled Monday after Maine State Museum officials overseeing the effort said it would be too expensive and time-consuming.

Museum Director Bernard Fishman testified Monday before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, saying a special commission should instead be created to raise funds for the project.

Officials estimate the total cost at $250,000 per statue.

The education committee is expected to discuss the bill on Tuesday.