February 12, 2009
Birthday Tribute and Wreath-Laying Ceremony - 8:00 AM:
Four-time Grammy-nominated singer Michael Feinstein sang the National Anthem, accompanied by the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Acclaimed poet and author Nikki Giovanni recited her new work, "At this Moment", written especially for the Bicentennial. And ALBC Co-Chairs Senator Dick Durbin and Harold Holzer addressed the crowd.
Other attendees and speakers included Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar; MOLLUS 57th Commander-in-Chief Karl Schaeffer and Gordon R. Bury, 54th MOLLUS Commander-in-Chief; and retired Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice – and ALBC Commissioner – Frank J. Williams who read the Gettysburg Address with school children from Strong John Thomson Elementary School in Washington, DC.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Judge Scott Stucky was Master of Ceremonies.
Wreaths were presented on behalf of the people of the United States, the diplomatic corps, and various hereditary organizations, including the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States in a stirring ceremony.
Photos from that morning and a video of Michael Feinstein's performance can be found at the Lincoln Bicentennial's website.
Bicameral Celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday: A Congressional Tribute - 11:30 AM:
President Barack Obama paid tribute to the former legislator from Illinois in the United States Capitol rotunda and US Army Chorus resoundingly performed "Battle Hymn of the Republic" as House and Senate leaders convened to commemorate Lincoln's 200th birthday.
Senators Dick Durbin, Jim Bunning, Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid addressed the assembly and Illinois Congressmen Jesse Jackson, Jr and Donald Manzullo recited the Gettysburg Address. Other speakers included Rep. John Boehner; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; ALBC Co-Chair Harold Holzer; Dr. Richard Norton Smith, former executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; and Doris Kearns Goodwin, author and presidential historian.
Goodwin spoke about Lincoln’s presidential leadership, and Dr. Smith addressed Lincoln’s early years as a state legislator and Member of Congress. C-SPAN provided full coverage of the Bicameral Tribute.
Below is the list of speakers (in order) with some of their remarks:
- President Barack Obama
- Sen. Richard Durbin
- Sen. Jim Bunning
- Harold Holzer
- Congressmen Jesse Jackson and Donald Manzullo, both recited portions of Gettysburg Address, respectively.
- Richard Norton Smith
- Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Rep. John Boehner
- Sen. Mitch McConnell
- Sen. Harry Reid
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Read more about this topic: Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Lincoln Memorial Rededication Series
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