France cashes in on publicity surrounding Statue of Liberty

April 22, 1986

Three months before centennial celebrations for the Statue of Liberty, France is cashing in on its position as donor of America's beloved symbol. French President Fran,cois Mitterrand will attend the unveiling of the rejuvenated statue, the result of a five-year restoration drive involving French engineers, craftsmen, and sponsors. A French-American committee is trying to raise $2.5 million in France toward the restoration. The group allows sponsors to use the campaign's logo, the statue's head in red, white, and blue -- the colors of the US and French flags.