The unveiling of a monument to Alfred Nobel, after whom the prize is named, in Theodore Roosevelt Park, on Columbus Avenue between 80th and 81st streets, reminds us of the lack of statues in this city — save for the one in front of the American Museum of Natural History — dedicated to the namesake of that park.

Roosevelt is one of only two sitting American presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize. President Carter won it after criticizing the American government in wartime. The Giuliani administration had promised to put up a statue of Roosevelt. The art commission was consulted, and a New York–born sculptor, Mark Mellon, was selected to be among the artists competing for the commission. However, the project has been put on hold by the Bloomberg administration.

The parks commissioner, Adrian Benepe, has indicated to us that the project would go forward were private funds available. Some would like to see T.R. join Nathan Hale in bronze in City Hall Park, even if the statue of that old waffler, Horace Greeley, slouches nearby. A 20th-century figure is overdue. We hope the funds are made available. None could be more appropriate to commemorate with a statue in this spot than the man who served as our city’s police commissioner before becoming governor of the state and who remains the only president to have been born in New York City.