What Becomes a Legend Most: F.D.R., True to Life

By Hugh Sidey/Washington

After a struggle of nearly 60 years, a bronze life-size statue of FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT in his wheelchair will be dedicated in Washington by PRESIDENT CLINTON this week. Roosevelt, who never took an unaided step after his polio attack in 1921, directed the war against the Great Depression and the Axis powers from a wheelchair, but most were not aware of his disability: he obscured it, fearful of electoral disapproval. Only two photographs of him in a wheelchair exist. Red tape and partisan wrangling stymied the memorial until five years ago, but then the arguments within the Roosevelt family and Congress stopped depiction of F.D.R. openly seated in his wheelchair. The National Organization on Disability declared war, pleading that Roosevelt be honestly and proudly shown. With the support of former PRESIDENTS FORD, CARTER and BUSH joining with Clinton--and $1.65 million from private citizens--sculptor ROBERT GRAHAM fashioned the new figure. On a wall behind F.D.R. are words of wife eleanor: "Franklin's illness...gave him the strength and courage he had not had before...and infinite patience and never-ending persistence."

--By Hugh Sidey/Washington