U.S. may open Statue of Liberty's crown by July

By Jasmin Melvin

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The crown of the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. monument symbolizing freedom and democracy, may reopen to visitors by the July 4th holiday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said on Tuesday.

One of the first sights seen by millions of immigrants who arrived in New York harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries, the statue was closed to the public after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks because of safety concerns.

The museum gallery and observation deck at the landmark's base were reopened to the public in 2004, but access beyond that point remained prohibited.

"We will endeavor to do everything we can," Salazar told Reuters when asked about the likelihood of reopening the crown by July 4, the anniversary of American independence. "We may have it opened up to a smaller group of people."

Salazar said his department is considering implementing a ticketing or lottery system to allow small groups to enter at specific times of the day, similar to crowd control and safety procedures taken at the Washington Monument.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat and leading advocate for reopening the crown, welcomed the possibility.

"I can't think of a better birthday present for our nation. Reopening the crown of lady liberty will restore a quintessential New York and American experience," Weiner said.

Weiner has said that reopening the attraction would also boost tourism in his state and in neighboring New Jersey.