Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Proclamation To Celebrate Bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today celebrated President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday today by announcing the California Museum will host the Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit.
The exhibit titled “With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition” opens at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. today and will travel to five select venues across the U.S., stopping first at Sacramento’s California Museum, where it will be housed from June 24 through August 22.
Lincoln: Dreamer And Determined Leader
Speaking at the event, in front of a US flag, and looking back to a bust of his hero, Governor Schwarzenegger said, “President Lincoln is an inspiration for me and so many people like me who have made the American dream a reality. He was a dreamer and a leader with fierce determination. And, two hundred years later he lives on through his message of equality for all and his preservation of our nation’s unity under the greatest of pressure.”
The museum display will include multi-media, text, photographs and artifacts.
“This year he will be celebrated across the country and I am so proud to announce the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition will travel here, to our very own California Museum, where it will be the exhibition’s first stop after it leaves Washington D.C.”
The Governor also issued the following proclamation declaring February 12, 2009, as a “Bicentennial Celebration of President Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday.”
PROCLAMATION
In my office in the State Capitol, I proudly display a bust of one of my favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Having his likeness there inspires me during both good and challenging times, and his strength is likewise admired by countless Americans. Today, our Golden State honors our nation’s sixteenth president.
Born into humble circumstances in 1809, President Lincoln took it upon himself to make lifelong learning a priority and became an accomplished lawyer and politician. He became our president during a tumultuous era in our country’s history, when the Civil War was looming and many issues divided Americans. However, President Lincoln was a skilled leader, and his integrity guided him to always do what he felt was right. He successfully ended slavery and preserved the Union, bringing people together. Not everyone agreed with President Lincoln though, and tragically he was assassinated in 1865. Despite his sudden death, his legacy has lived on through the people of our nation and all those who work for greater equality and unity.
This summer, our state will have a special opportunity to learn more about this outstanding man. With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition will come to The California Museum in Sacramento from June 24, 2009 to August 22, 2009. This exhibit will offer visitors the chance to take a closer look at the life of President Lincoln through multi-media, photographs, artifacts and more. It will be a terrific display, and I encourage all Californians to join me and celebrate the life of President Abraham Lincoln.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim February 12, 2009, as a “Bicentennial Celebration of President Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 4th day of February 2009.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
