Explore the Description of this artwork.
At the top of the plaque is Willkie's name and the dates of his birth and death, February 18, 1892 – October 8, 1944. A silhouetted image of Willkie is facing proper left and is located in the center of the plaque. In this image Willkie is clean shaven and wearing a suit and tie. Inscriptions beneath the image describe Willkie as a "Distinguished citizen of our state and our country", a lawyer and an industrialist, the author of "One World," and the nominee of the Republican party for President of the United States in 1940. Under the description in an eagle and beneath it is an inscription from Willkie's book "One World" that reads:I believe in America
Because in it we are free—free to choose our government
and speak our minds to observe our different religions
because we hate no people and covet no peoples land
because we have great dreams and because we have theopportunity to make those dreams come true.
The plaque measures 50.75 inches × 33.25 inches × 1 inch. The artist's signature is located on the front, proper right, bottom of the plaque. It reads, "Paul Fjelde•sc." On May 15, 2006, the Indiana State Museum listed this plaque as in excellent condition.
Paul Fjelde United States plaque