Welcome Remarks for "Catch the Wave: Voter Discontent During Wave Elections"
McGowan Theater,听威尼斯人娱乐场 Building, Washington, DC
October 24, 2018
听
Good evening. I鈥檓 David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I鈥檓 pleased to welcome you to the William G. McGowan Theater at the 威尼斯人娱乐场, whether you鈥檙e here in the theater or joining us through YouTube. Tonight鈥檚 program鈥斺�淐atch the Wave: Voter Discontent During Wave Elections鈥濃�攊s presented in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, and we thank them for their support.
Before we hear from our panelists, I鈥檇 like to let you know about two programs coming up next month.
On Thursday, November 1, at 7 p.m., a panel of combat photographers who served in Vietnam as part of the Army鈥檚 Special Photographic Office will discuss their role and their work. This program is presented in partnership with the U.S. Army Center of Military History and in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
And on Wednesday, November 7, at noon, author Eric Jay Dolin will be here to tell us about his new book, Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America鈥檚 Most Notorious Pirates. A book signing will follow the program.
Check our website, Archives.gov, or sign up at the table outside the theater to get email updates. You鈥檒l also find information 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. Check out their website鈥� 补谤肠丑颈惫别蝉蹿辞耻苍诲补迟颈辞苍.辞谤驳鈥�to learn more about them and join online.
Every two years, elections create some turnover in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Sometimes it鈥檚 slight; in other years it鈥檚 a 鈥渨ave.鈥� Whether the turnover is large or small, incoming new members are eager to learn the ropes and get seats on prime committees, where the day-to-day processes of legislation occur.
The records created by these committees鈥擧ouse, Senate, and joint committees鈥攎ake up a large portion of the records in our Center for Legislative Archives. These documents give us insight into how laws are made and why they are written as they are. Though the balance of power may tip toward one party or the other, the 威尼斯人娱乐场 maintains its mission to ensure that the permanent records of the House and Senate are cared for and preserved for future generations to study.
To start off our discussion of 鈥渨ave鈥� elections, we鈥檒l turn to Peter M. Weichlein (WIKE - line), who has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress since 2003. The association celebrates bipartisanship, a collaborative approach to legislating, and reconnecting citizens with their representative governments.
He plans and directs all policies, objectives, and initiatives for the association, represents FMC in the community, and serves as its spokesperson to the public, the media, and Congress. Mr. Weichlein holds two BAs from the Pennsylvania State University.
Peter attended law school at the Freie Universit盲t in Berlin, Germany, and completed his legal studies in Washington, DC, at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Peter Weichlein.
听
听
听