Welcome Remarks Records of Achievement Tribute 2019
McGowan Theater, 威尼斯人娱乐场 Building, Washington, DC
November 13, 2019
Good evening! Welcome to My House!
When we originally planned this ceremony, it was to honor Cokie Roberts for her many contributions to our understanding of the past and how the past is indeed prologue. In addition, we wanted to thank her for her unending support of the 威尼斯人娱乐场. Tonight, we will honor and celebrate Cokie with this special tribute.
As a journalist, political commentator, and historian, Cokie Roberts dedicated her life to telling us stories of women and their roles in our founding and in our government. Her work reminds us that women鈥檚 participation in our government is relatively recent. Cokie noted that her own mother鈥撯�搘ho was born before women had the right to vote鈥撯�揵ecame the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from Louisiana, and went on to serve nine terms.
Cokie鈥檚 work extended far beyond the scope of well-known politicians and suffragists, often looking to ordinary women and their influence in the age before they could legally vote. She did so much to highlight the contributions of other women. I am glad we have the privilege to honor Cokie鈥檚 contributions here at the 威尼斯人娱乐场.
This past summer, Cokie graciously agreed to give the keynote at our annual 4th of July celebration. Her remarks with her daughter Rebecca and an Abigail Adams historical reenactor brought attention to the forgotten women who helped contribute to independence and ultimately the right to vote. In 1776, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John Adams, urging him to 鈥渞emember the ladies,鈥� and Cokie was determined to remember them as well. She found a way to effortlessly and passionately weave the stories of Abigail Adams and Elizabeth Cady Stanton into our 4th of July celebration and tie it to our newest exhibit Rightfully Hers.
Cokie Roberts was a longstanding member of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation Board. She worked tirelessly on behalf of our education and outreach activities. Her wise counsel, intelligence, and wit will be missed鈥撯�揵ut never forgotten.
The welcome note from Cokie ten years ago was the beginning of a very special friendship. And I am daily reminded of her. I am in the building early in the morning and late at night and as I wander across the Rotunda level I hear Cokie鈥檚 voice in the Rightfully Hers and Public Vaults exhibits, doing what she always did鈥攅ducating us about our history and celebrating the records held here.
This evening, we celebrate Cokie Roberts and her many contributions to the American story. I know I speak for everyone at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 in saying that we will miss her passion, humor, and dedication to our history鈥攅specially women鈥檚 history. And well will forever 鈥渞emember the ladies,鈥� just as she reminded us.
Tonight would not be possible if it wasn鈥檛 for our partner, the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation, whose generous support enhances the mission of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and greatly extends our reach. With the support of the Foundation and generous benefactors like you, this past year, we celebrated the 243rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. We commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. And we remembered D-Day on the 75th anniversary.
At this time, I welcome back to the stage 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation Chair and President, Governor James Blanchard.