TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A bronze statue has been unveiled in Topeka of native son Charles Curtis, the first person of significant Native American descent to become vice president, serving under Herbert Hoover.

Mayor Larry Wolgast praised Curtis as “a significant Topekan” in dedicating the statue Wednesday, adding that he looks “forward to the opportunity for other, future generations to become acquainted and know the history that he was a part of,” The Topeka Capital-Journal reports. The statue joins four others of significant Topekans – Ichabod Washburn, Washburn University’s namesake; Cyrus Holliday, a railroad magnate; Arthur Capper, Kansas governor from 1915 to 1919 and U.S. senator from 1919 to 1949; and Harry Colmery, the primary author of the G.I Bill.

Curtis’s mother was a member of the Kaw Nation, and he spent many of his childhood years either in Topeka or with his grandparents on the Kaw Reservation.

“When he ran for vice president, much was made of the fact that he was descended of both pilgrims and Indians, so he carried the bloodline of what was truly American, what was truly considered to be the heart of America at that time,” historian Deb Goodrich said.

Curtis’ political career began in 1893 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Six terms later, the lawyer was elected to the U.S. Senate by the Kansas Legislature, going on to hold many leadership positions in the Senate before becoming Hoover’s running mate.

Curtis, a Republican, was highly respected for his ability to work with members of the opposing party, Goodrich said.

“That’s where his real power was, in reaching across the aisle and getting things done,” she said.

Vince Frye, president of Downtown Topeka Inc., hopes that Curtis’ history is able to inspire Topekans today.

“What he does today is tell everybody that people from Topeka can make a difference,” he said. “And as we have people gathered today, these people are making a difference, too. It might not be on that same level, but whatever they’re doing has an influence on their environment.”

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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com