Charles Edward Bennett
A man who made the welfare of Jacksonville and its residents his life’s work continues to serve posthumously in the most fitting of spaces. Charles Edward Bennett, U.S. Representative for 44 years, is immortalized in a bronze statue located in James Weldon Johnson Park. The 1,500-pound, life-sized likeness of Bennett was installed in 2004 and faces north, toward Washington, D.C.
In 2000 the Jacksonville City Council, wanting to honor this tireless champion of democracy, passed Ordinance 2000-608. In doing so, the Council established the Charles Bennett Statue Trust Fund, appropriating $42,000 and initializing funding for this project. Taking the lead on this project were former Council President Matt Carlucci and Tax Collector Jim Overton (who was also on the Jacksonville City Council at that time). Both had worked not only to preserve our city’s history, but also to create more public art including testaments of great people, such as the statue of Congressman Bennett.
‘We will never have another Charlie Bennett,’ said Carlucci. ‘He was a good friend to all of us and a dear man. He was genuinely concerned about people, our city and our country. We all really miss him, but this is such a warm reminder of what a true and caring gentleman he was.’
The bronze statue created by sculptor, William Francis Duffy, was commissioned by the Cultural Council as part of the Art in Public Places program. Just a little larger than life size and facing north towards Washington D.C., the statue weighs approximately 1,500 lbs. and stands atop a marble base, inscribed with:
Charles E. Bennett, 1910-2003, ‘In God We Trust’ Friend – Scholar, Statesman – Preservationist, Citizen – War Hero
Known as “Mr. Clean” and “Mr. Ethics”, Bennett was a lawyer who served his country both in the Pacific during World War II and in the House of Representatives. He is remembered for numerous meaningful and lasting accomplishments, in fact too many to list here. These are just a few of those accomplishments: creating an ethics policy for legislators, sponsoring the legislation that put “In God We Trust” on U.S. Currency and, closer to home, creating Fort Caroline National Memorial and orchestrating the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. And one more: The transition of Mayport from surplus military facility to aircraft carrier homeport.
As Florida’s longest serving member of Congress, Bennett, who died in 2003, is remembered in Jacksonville’s historic downtown park with a likeness that includes two walking canes, which he used after contracting polio amid the fierce fighting in the Pacific. Bennett’s military awards included the Silver and Bronze stars for gallantry in action and a Combat Infantry Badge.
After his partially paralyzed legs led to illnesses during his first term in Congress, Bennett promised himself to never miss a vote. He made good on that promise by way of never missing a vote- 17,000 in total – between second term and retirement.
To say that Bennett was tireless in his desire and commitment to make life better for Jacksonville seems only a start to honoring the man whose youngest years included becoming an Eagle Scout, and the first student at University of Florida to serve both as the editor of the Independent Florida Alligator and president of student body.
So as Bennett’s statue looks toward our nation’s capital, so too it looks toward Jacksonville City Hall. The affable face, signature suit and tie, canes in hand, all cast artfully in bronze, continue to remind visitors to James Weldon Johnson Park that public service is valuable and its servants can hold themselves to the highest standards. That is Bennett’s legacy and, in a way, all of ours.
