Push to Reopen Liberty's Crown

House votes $1M to study reopening to visitors.
By Sophie Goldstein,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 27, 2007 1:27 PM CDT
Push to Reopen Liberty's Crown
A close up of the Statue of Liberty is seen in this undated photo. The House Representatives on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, prodded parks officials to re-open the crown of the Statue of Liberty to the public, a step the government says is too dangerous. Fopr the second year in a row an amendment was added...   (Associated Press)

The House wants Lady Liberty's crown reopened to visitors intrepid enough to make the climb, and for the second year in a row has set aside $1 million for the National Park Service to figure out how to do it. Since 9-11 only the pedestal at her feet has been accessible; officials say the narrow staircase to the top is a fire-hazard and terror risk.

It took 3 years and $20 million in security improvements—including a device that blows air into clothing and then sniffs it for explosives residue—to get the monument reopened at all. Not good enough, says NY Rep. Anthony Weiner. Visitors to Liberty Island are down 41% since the closure, reports the New York Sun. (More terrorism stories.)

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