The Texas House of Representatives has given its approval to the construction of a new monument at the Texas Capitol that honors “the miracle of life and the women at the center of that miracle,” a move that has stirred both praise and controversy in the state’s ongoing cultural and political discourse.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 (SCR 19), which passed the House in a 98-44 vote with five members choosing to vote “present not voting,” allows for the installation of an eight-foot bronze sculpture modeled after the National Life Monument. The Senate had previously approved the measure, meaning the project is now cleared for execution.
The resolution was presented on the House floor by Rep. Caroline Harris-Davila (R-Round Rock), who emphasized the monument’s purpose as a tribute to motherhood and human life. “This is a powerful image honoring the strength of women and the miracle of life,” she told lawmakers on Tuesday.
The sculpture, created by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, depicts a mother with her unborn child visible in the womb — a design that seeks to reflect the viewer’s connection to the origin of life itself. The same monument has been previously installed at the San Marcello al Corso in Rome and on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Harris-Davila assured the House that the project will be entirely privately funded. “This effort does not involve the use of public funds and aligns with state law guiding additions to Capitol Complex grounds,” she said. According to the resolution’s backers, all necessary funds have already been raised through private donations.
Supporters hailed the monument as a moving tribute to women and family. “This will be a beautiful, reflective space for Texans of all backgrounds to honor the strength and sacrifice inherent in motherhood,” said Harris-Davila. “It’s about celebrating life — a value deeply rooted in Texas culture.”
The Texas Capitol grounds are already home to more than 20 monuments, many of which commemorate veterans, Texas history, and significant public figures. Among them is a granite Ten Commandments monument, installed in 1961 and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005 after it faced legal challenges for potentially violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. The Court ultimately ruled that it was constitutional, citing its historical context.
If installed as planned, the life-themed sculpture would make Texas the first U.S. state to place its own version of the National Life Monument on Capitol grounds — a gesture that supporters hope will inspire other states to follow.
