1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Mount Rushmore is a national treasure and iconic work of art that should be preserved in its current form. The sculpture was meticulously crafted over 14 years by Gutzon Borglum, who carefully selected the four presidents to represent the founding, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. Adding another face would undermine the artist's original vision and intent. Furthermore, experts like former Mount Rushmore superintendent Dan Wenk have raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of the mountain. The rock is delicate and unpredictable, causing Borglum to revise his plans numerous times during construction due to fractures and fragility. The National Park Service has stated there are no viable locations remaining for additional carvings. Altering this historic monument to satisfy personal ambitions would be a disservice to Borglum's masterpiece and could potentially damage the sculpture itself. Instead of entertaining proposals to deface Mount Rushmore, we should focus on preserving our national parks and respecting the artistic and cultural significance of existing monuments. I urge you to reject any efforts or funding that would enable modifying Mount Rushmore by adding new faces or other elements. Let us protect this iconic symbol of American democracy as it was originally intended.