WYOMING — On Feb. 24 Governor Gordon signed a bill that will officially make July 20 Moon Landing Day in Wyoming, effective 2023.
SF0095 was sponsored by Senator Affie Ellis (R), Wyoming’s first Navajo and Native American state senator. The bill designates July 20 as a statewide holiday celebrating the iconic moon landing on July 20, 1969, and also aims to elevate awareness of STEM in classrooms statewide.
“The tough thing about this business is caring. You have to care,” says Steven Barber, a filmmaker and space monument builder who was present via Zoom to testify in favor of the bill. “Every committee member had a story about a connection to Apollo and the moon landing.”
Barber is collaborating with Senator Ellis to build an Apollo 11 statue in Wyoming to celebrate the unique state holiday. Barber has a history of space monument construction, working with Lundeen Sculpture team out of Colorado to honor some of the greatest stories of mankind.
While the location for the statue is not yet confirmed, Barber said he is considering Jackson Hole as an option.
Under the new bill, judicial proceedings, public schools and government offices will not close for the holiday.
