HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. — The 8-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty in Dr. Ramzi Haroun's front yard caused a neighborhood dispute before zoning officials ruled the statue did not violate city code.

        That was three years ago. Now the immigrant pediatrician from Jordan is thinking bigger, in the form of a 60-foot stone statue of a woman with her arms reaching to the sky draped in an American flag.

        He'd like to see the $500,000 statue in a public place — perhaps along U.S. 68 — in Hopkinsville, lit with a light system that shoots red and blue laser beams.

        “People might see the laser beam from a long distance,” Dr. Haroun said. “It will shine all over the place. It's like a light of freedom. It will go everywhere.”

        John Czernoczky, a Hungarian artist who lives in Nashville, Tenn., created a small model of the statue about three years ago and is willing to build the 60-foot version that would be called “Lady of the Free World,” Dr. Haroun said.

        “The more gigantic it's going to be, then the more gigantic its meaning also is going to be,” Dr. Haroun said.

        Mr. Czernoczky, a former Hopkinsville resident, has created a number of sculpted wood furnishings for a local Roman Catholic church.

        In the statue model, the lady is draped in an American flag that trails down to a rock base. Her arms are extended to the sky and she holds a large star made of stone in her hands. Dr. Haroun wants to modify the statue and turn the stone star to glass.

        Dr. Haroun, who moved to Hopkinsville in 1995, is attempting to find other volunteers to help.

        The surge in patriotism since the Sept. 11 attacks makes this an excellent time to tackle the project, Dr. Haroun said.

        The statue has many meanings, not the least of which is a show of support for Fort Campbell soldiers, he said. Hopkinsville is about 10 miles north of the Army post on the Tennessee border that is home to the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division.

Jurors weigh verdict on Jorg
Witness describes Owensby arrest
One girl pleads in poison case
Ross student excels on all fields
Luken, Fuller to debate on live TV
City officials rap chief
Issue 6 subsidizes candidates
Levy gives agency vital funds
Neyer pulls company out of Banks plan
PULFER: Are we allowed to laugh yet?
Anderson argues sign placement
Congrats
Good News: La Salle 'Truck' rolls on
Local Digest
Deerfield settles clerk's suit
Foes' lawsuit over Millikin Woods halted
Hummer Park work progresses
Rural acreage rarer
'Shaken baby' trial under way
Third Butler skate park on way
Two school candidates are shoo-ins
School celebrates national award
Teen makes a difference for orphans
Family won't budge for TANK
Heart-device patient better
Kentucky Digest
Patriotic planners think big
Hunting policy called 'revenge on Kentucky'