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Governor Frank Keating gave the order to raise the first structural support column for the State Capitol dome during a ceremony today outside the Capitol in Oklahoma City.
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Prior to issuing the order, Keating, along with statewide elected officials, legislators, dignitaries, donors, and the public signed their name to the support column.
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A huge tower crane lifted the 10,000 pound steel column while the 145th Army Band player "Oklahoma".
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The column will serve as one of the main support components for the dome that is scheduled to be dedicated on Statehood Day, November 16, 2002.
Keating called it "a grand day for Oklahoma. This dome is a symbol of the new Oklahoma, the prosperous Oklahoma a symbol that Oklahoma can complete what it starts. By signing their names to the beam, thousands of Oklahomans instantly became part of our state's history, and I'm proud to have played a part in this historic event."
Together with Keating on the program were Centennial Commission Executive Director Blake Wade, Capitol Dome Builders made up of Manhattan Construction Company, Flintoc Inc. and Architect-Engineer of Record for the dome, Frankfurt Short Bruza. Also speaking were Representative Larry E. Adair, Speaker of the House, Senator Gene Stipe, a major donor, and Senator Enoch Kelly Haney, Sculptor of the statue to be put atop the Dome. Annabelle Cones, the granddaughter of Solomon Layton, original architect for the State Capitol, was also on the program.
Former Governors and U.S. Senators David Boren and Henry Bellmon also attended the ceremonial dome raising.
The dedication of the dome will coincide with a myriad of activities, coordinated by the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, to begin the five-year countdown to Oklahoma's 100th birthday.
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J. Blake Wade
OK Centennial Commission
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Francis Rooney
Manhattan Construction Co.
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Tom Maxwell
Flintco, Inc.
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Jim Bruza
Frankfurt-Short-Bruza
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Rep. Larry E. Adair
Speaker of the House
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Senator Gene Stipe
Donor
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Sen. E. Kelly Haney
Sculpture of the Statue
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Annabelle Escoe Cones
Solomon Layton Granddaughter
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Column signing began on June 19, 2001.
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145th Army Band.
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Architect Fred Schmidt giving a project briefing before the ceremonies.
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First Lady Cathy Keating and family signing a column.
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Capitol Dome Builders on the construction platform.
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Governor Frank Keating addressing a crowd of about 500.
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Large crane conneciton is lowered to attach to the columns.
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Columns #1 and #2 are raised by the large crane and moved into place atop the Oklahoma State Capitol.
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Ceremony attendees watch as columns are lowered into place.
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