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'The greatest of all time!' Internet celebrates as Nancy Pelosi's portrait is unveiled at the Capitol

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was hailed as an 'icon' as she and her family unveiled her official portrait at the Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC: The portrait of outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was unveiled Wednesday, December 14, in Statuary Hall at the US Capitol. This is a historic moment as she is the first woman whose portrait hangs in the Speaker's Lobby of the Capitol. The portrait of Pelosi, who recently announced her intention to relinquish leadership of the House Democratic Caucus for the 118th Legislature and is in the final weeks of her term as Speaker of the House, holds a gavel and is an oil painting on canvas by Ronald Sherr.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pelosi said, “This painting will stand out as a woman in that Speaker’s Lobby. I’m really honored my members had the courage to elect a woman Speaker. That is not without courage.” She added, "somewhere out there there’s someone who will be, someone in this Congress is a future woman Speaker to be. I’m honored to be the first but it will only be a good accomplishment if I’m not the last," quotes The Hill. Former Republican House Speaker John Boehner, who handed off the gavel to Pelosi in 2007 when she became the speaker, applauded her as “one tough cookie.” He said, as stated by PBS, "You’ve been a fierce warrior for your party. But when the stakes were highest, you were willing to put the interests of the nation first and take the heat for it. Leaders lead, Madam Speaker. And you, Madam Speaker, have led. I’m honored to be here today as a longtime colleague and a fellow American to say thank you for that.”

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Following the unveiling, people started congratulating Pelosi, who was accompanied by her husband Paul Pelosi. A well-wisher wrote, "Nancy Pelosi is an icon. Her portrait is a perfect encapsulation of her and how she wields power. Simply stunning." Another wrote, "The unveiling of official portrait for the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, reminds of something we have long known: Nancy Pelosi is an icon—one of the few Speakers in history who transcends the position she holds." One more commented, "The official portrait of Speaker Nancy Pelosi was unveiled today. I sit here sobbing because there’s never going to be another leader quite like her. She’s an icon, a badass and truly the greatest of all time."

Applauding her, James E Clyburn, the congressman representing 6th District of South Carolina, wrote, ".@SpeakerPelosi is an extraordinary and historic leader. She has never wavered in her commitment to this country's greatness, and I am pleased that her portrait will be displayed for all to see in the US Capitol Speaker's Lobby. Congratulations, Madam Speaker." One more expressed by saying, "Wow. The moment Nancy Pelosi revealed her portrait with her husband Paul Pelosi by her side. Leadership, pure and simple."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.