dsmith2904
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Party Starts for Clinton Library Opening
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Nov 18, 2004 — Top Clinton administration officials, both Presidents Bush, rock stars and ordinary admirers of Bill Clinton turned out Thursday to pay homage to the former president at the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center.
An estimated 30,000 guests were on hand for the dedication of the $165 million glass-and-steel home of artifacts and documents gathered during Clinton's eight years in the White House.
Clinton, President Bush, and former presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter took the stage together while the U.S. Air Force Concert Band played "Hail to the Chief." Their wives took the stage moments earlier.
"Welcome to Little Rock, Arkansas, the first capital that President Clinton called home. Thank you for being a part of this special celebration," said Skip Rutherford, president of the foundation that built the riverfront library, as he opened a ceremony that also was to feature remarks by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and music by U2's Bono and The Edge.
Wet bleachers and lengthy security lines Thursday morning did little to squelch the enthusiasm of thousands waiting to attend. Sister Judith Dalesandro was among four nuns who came to the event from a Roman Catholic convent in Jonesboro.
"Bill Clinton is the best president we've ever had in the United States," said Sister Dalesandro, who taught school in Little Rock when Clinton was Arkansas governor. "He was wonderful. He wasn't at all snooty. He would come and talk with the kids."
Sandy Berger, former National Security Adviser, said the Clinton Library is "chock full of the accomplishments of the Clinton administration, the sad times and the good times."
Before the official dedication ceremony, trumpeter Phil Driscoll played "America," several Arkansas musicians performed and Rita Dove, who Clinton appointed as the first black U.S. poet laureate in 1993, read her poem "This Life."
When the building opens to the public Friday, visitors paying $7 can peruse the library's 14 alcoves detailing aspects of Clinton's Oval Office years one of which is dedicated to scandal.
A presidential timeline opens with Clinton's 1993 inaugural address and his dream for the nation: "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
In a series of eight 18-foot-wide panels, the library marks highlights and lowlights from each year of Clinton's presidency, such as the Oklahoma City bombing, Clinton-led peace efforts in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, and Clinton's impeachment and acquittal over the Monica Lewinsky affair.
The Lewinsky matter is covered in an alcove dedicated to the "politics of persecution." The display lumps together Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America" and independent counsel Kenneth Starr's Whitewater investigation in a collection that evokes the memory of Hillary Rodham Clinton describing a "right-wing conspiracy" against her husband.
Library director David Alsobrook acknowledged that many wouldn't be satisfied.
"His supporters will say, `Oh, why did you give this so much space?'" Alsobrook said as reporters received advance tours Wednesday. "But his detractors will come up and say, `Dave, where is the blue dress?'"
Former Whitewater business partner Susan McDougal is pictured in an orange jumpsuit in the custody of U.S. marshals. Kenneth Starr is pictured prominently, but so are newspaper headlines screaming "Acquitted" after the Senate failed to convict Clinton.
Contrasting how the impeachment was treated, Clinton asked specifically for a double alcove on his diplomatic efforts in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and the Middle East, according to exhibit designer Ralph Appelbaum.
On the back of each panel, visitors can access an electronic version of Clinton's daybook. Touch-screen monitors will show the official schedule for a specific day in Clinton's presidency.
Another highlight is the only full-scale replica of the Oval Office in a presidential library. Administration officials took thousands of photographs of the office to re-create the placement of every statue, photo and award.
--Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Nov 18, 2004 — Top Clinton administration officials, both Presidents Bush, rock stars and ordinary admirers of Bill Clinton turned out Thursday to pay homage to the former president at the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center.
An estimated 30,000 guests were on hand for the dedication of the $165 million glass-and-steel home of artifacts and documents gathered during Clinton's eight years in the White House.
Clinton, President Bush, and former presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter took the stage together while the U.S. Air Force Concert Band played "Hail to the Chief." Their wives took the stage moments earlier.
"Welcome to Little Rock, Arkansas, the first capital that President Clinton called home. Thank you for being a part of this special celebration," said Skip Rutherford, president of the foundation that built the riverfront library, as he opened a ceremony that also was to feature remarks by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and music by U2's Bono and The Edge.
Wet bleachers and lengthy security lines Thursday morning did little to squelch the enthusiasm of thousands waiting to attend. Sister Judith Dalesandro was among four nuns who came to the event from a Roman Catholic convent in Jonesboro.
"Bill Clinton is the best president we've ever had in the United States," said Sister Dalesandro, who taught school in Little Rock when Clinton was Arkansas governor. "He was wonderful. He wasn't at all snooty. He would come and talk with the kids."
Sandy Berger, former National Security Adviser, said the Clinton Library is "chock full of the accomplishments of the Clinton administration, the sad times and the good times."
Before the official dedication ceremony, trumpeter Phil Driscoll played "America," several Arkansas musicians performed and Rita Dove, who Clinton appointed as the first black U.S. poet laureate in 1993, read her poem "This Life."
When the building opens to the public Friday, visitors paying $7 can peruse the library's 14 alcoves detailing aspects of Clinton's Oval Office years one of which is dedicated to scandal.
A presidential timeline opens with Clinton's 1993 inaugural address and his dream for the nation: "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
In a series of eight 18-foot-wide panels, the library marks highlights and lowlights from each year of Clinton's presidency, such as the Oklahoma City bombing, Clinton-led peace efforts in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, and Clinton's impeachment and acquittal over the Monica Lewinsky affair.
The Lewinsky matter is covered in an alcove dedicated to the "politics of persecution." The display lumps together Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America" and independent counsel Kenneth Starr's Whitewater investigation in a collection that evokes the memory of Hillary Rodham Clinton describing a "right-wing conspiracy" against her husband.
Library director David Alsobrook acknowledged that many wouldn't be satisfied.
"His supporters will say, `Oh, why did you give this so much space?'" Alsobrook said as reporters received advance tours Wednesday. "But his detractors will come up and say, `Dave, where is the blue dress?'"
Former Whitewater business partner Susan McDougal is pictured in an orange jumpsuit in the custody of U.S. marshals. Kenneth Starr is pictured prominently, but so are newspaper headlines screaming "Acquitted" after the Senate failed to convict Clinton.
Contrasting how the impeachment was treated, Clinton asked specifically for a double alcove on his diplomatic efforts in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and the Middle East, according to exhibit designer Ralph Appelbaum.
On the back of each panel, visitors can access an electronic version of Clinton's daybook. Touch-screen monitors will show the official schedule for a specific day in Clinton's presidency.
Another highlight is the only full-scale replica of the Oval Office in a presidential library. Administration officials took thousands of photographs of the office to re-create the placement of every statue, photo and award.
--Associated Press
