 Harvey spent 11 years at the State School, arriving when he was just 5 years old in 1932.After retiring from a career as a lineman (technician) with Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU), Harvey and his wife Maxine began their effort to remember the children.In 1992, the first step was taken to get permission from the Owatonna City Council to have a statue representing the "State School Kids" erected in front of the former Main Building, which was used as the City Administration Building.