Welcome Remarks for "Frederick Douglass, 19th-Century Civil Rights Activist: His Legacy Today"
McGowan Theater,听威尼斯人娱乐场 Building, Washington, DC
October 18, 2018
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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�淔rederick Douglass, 19th-Century Civil Rights Activist: His Legacy Today鈥濃�攊s presented in partnership with the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and we thank them for their support.
Before we hear from our panelists, I鈥檇 like to let you know about two other programs coming up in the next couple of weeks.
On Wednesday, October 24, at 7 p.m., we will host a panel discussion with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress called 鈥淐atch the Wave: Voter Discontent During Wave Elections.鈥� During a wave election, one party suffers an extraordinary turnover. A bipartisan panel of former Senators and Representatives, who either exited or entered Congress as part of a wave, will discuss their experiences.
Then 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.
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.
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In this bicentennial year of Frederick Douglass鈥檚 birth, we remember and honor him for the work he did to further the causes of freedom, justice, and equality.
His service to this country鈥攁s well as the service of his sons鈥攊s documented in records here in the 威尼斯人娱乐场. We have his letter accepting President Benjamin Harrison鈥檚 appointment to be Minister-Resident and Counsel General to Haiti, written on stationery marked 鈥淐edar Hill,鈥� his home in Anacostia. And the military service records of his sons Charles and Lewis document their Civil War service with the 54th Massachusetts Infantry.
But other records鈥攏ot necessarily bearing his name鈥攖estify to his leadership in the causes of liberty and justice. His influence is seen in legislation and civic activism from the Civil Rights Act of 1875 to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and beyond.
It is this legacy of civil rights that we explore today and discover anew Frederick Douglass鈥檚 important work.
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To get this discussion started, let鈥檚 turn to Tara Morrison. She is the Superintendent of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, DC. She began her National Park Service career in 1996 as an archeology intern in Washington and rose to be the first Superintendent of the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City.
Since December 2016, Tara has served as Superintendent of National Capital Parks鈥揈ast, where she is responsible for the management and direction of national parks including the historic homes of Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Carter G. Woodson as well as Anacostia Park and parks that date to the L'Enfant Plan.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Tara Morrison.
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