With Florida preparing next year to mark the semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday helped unveil a bronze statue of George Washington in the state Capitol.

As part of those celebrations in Florida, statues of other Founding Fathers are planned to be shown in counties named after them: Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe counties. Florida is commissioning another Washington statue to be placed in Washington County.

While others are tearing statues down, we are putting statues up to honor the heroes of our republic and our great history.'

Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized George Washington’s virtue in choosing the success of the country over his desire for power during Thursday’s unveiling of a statue to honor the founding father at the Capitol in Tallahassee.

Governor Ron DeSantis unveils a statue of George Washington in part of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. Gov. DeSantis is joined by First Lady Casey DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd.