Welcome Remarks for "Find Your Whistle"
Good afternoon, and welcome to the William G. McGowan Theater at the 威尼斯人娱乐场. I鈥檓 David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I鈥檓 pleased that you could join us today, whether you are here in the theater or watching on YouTube.
Before we get to today鈥檚 talk by Christopher Ullman, I want to let you know about two other programs coming up soon at the McGowan Theater.
On Tuesday, August 8, at noon, journalist Thomas Oliphant takes us behind the scenes of John F. Kennedy鈥檚 campaign to the White House in The Road to Camelot: Inside JFK's Five-Year Campaign.
Later in the month, on Tuesday, August 22, at noon, Walter Stahr tells us about Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 indispensable Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton鈥攖he subject of his new book, Stanton: Lincoln鈥檚 War Secretary. Book signings will follow both programs.
To learn more about these and all of our public programs and exhibits, consult our monthly Calendar of Events in print or online at Archives.gov. There are copies in the lobby鈥攁long with a sign-up sheet so you can receive it by regular mail or email. You鈥檒l also find brochures about other 威尼斯人娱乐场 programs and activities.
Another way to get more involved with the 威尼斯人娱乐场 is to become a member of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation. The Foundation supports the work of the agency, especially its education and outreach programs. Pick up your application for membership in the lobby or become a member online at archivesfoundation.org.
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When you entered this building today, you faced the Rubenstein Gallery, home of our 鈥淩ecords of Rights鈥� exhibit. David Rubenstein is a great friend of the 威尼斯人娱乐场, and the gallery is the only the most visible manifestation of his support.
And it鈥檚 through Mr. Rubenstein鈥檚 active interest in the Archives and our mission that I have had the pleasure of working with his Director of Global Communications鈥攖oday鈥檚 guest, Christopher Ullman.
Chris is here to tell us about his new memoir, Find Your Whistle, in which he encourages the reader to find their own special gift and share it with the world.
Chris Ullman has shared his gift here at the 威尼斯人娱乐场, where he has twice performed at our July 4th celebration. He is a four-time national and international whistling champion and has whistled for members of Congress, the President, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and many others.
He also whistles 鈥淗appy Birthday鈥� more than 400 times a year, and for the past several years, I鈥檝e been lucky enough to be one of those who receive Chris鈥檚 musical birthday greetings.
His repertoire goes far beyond the birthday song, however. He鈥檚 performed with 10 symphony orchestras, whistled the national anthem at Major League baseball and NBA games, appeared on The Tonight Show and the Today Show, and even whistled from the top of the Washington Monument.
A Washington Post profile this year called Chris 鈥渁 preternaturally skilled whistler, a four-time world champion who turns the simple happy-birthday ditty into a complex riff and performs compositions as intricate as Mozart鈥檚 Oboe Concerto in C and Hummel鈥檚 Trumpet Concerto in E-flat with nothing but his lips, teeth and breath.鈥�
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Whistling champion Christopher Ullman has performed with major symphony orchestras, serenaded President George W. Bush in the Oval Office, whistled the national anthem at professional and college sporting events, and entertained millions around the world on television and radio. Chris describes his Happy Birthday greetings to friends and family as a 鈥渕inistry.鈥�
He has appeared on many television network shows and been featured in the New York Times, People Magazine, the Washington Post, and Time Magazine. His repertoire includes classical, blues, jazz, Broadway, and rock. In 2012 he was inducted into the International Whistling Hall of Fame. By day he is a Director of Global Communications at The Carlyle Group, an investment firm based in Washington, DC.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chris Ullman.
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