The superintendent. Fletcher University Professor and director for africanamerican research at harvard university. Midwest regional director National Park service. [applause] the governor of arkansas. [applause] the 42nd president of the United StatesWilliam Jefferson clinton. [applause] now to though little rock nine. [cheers and applause] [applause] and remembering the late Jefferson Thomas. [applause] [applause] seven eppley is locked onto the podium and educator and Community Leader and the first africanamerican to attend the tenth and 11thaf and 12th grade before graduating 1960 to. [applause]se be please be seated. Look good to this historic day. But some have traveled from down the block as a lookout into the crowd i see familiar faces and no matter how far you travel to be here are how many people that you know, were honored to have you here as a key component of this ceremony. Tion of so with the arkansas 31st junior rotc from Little Rock Central High School followed by the pledge of allegiance. Plea led by the student body president of each School District five highschool surcoat. The bombs bursting in air gave proof thro the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [cheering and applause] are opening prayer will be given by doctor laverne tolliver, pastor of temple church. Good morning. I stand here first on behalf of the you a little rock and the members of christian Methodist Temple church. It was a one church, one School Partnership with Central High School. To the remaining members of the little rock nine i stand and thank you on behalf of the desegregation process, the first 25 to desegregate the five junior high schools. I am one of those. Thank you for blazing the trail. Let us now bow before the throne of grace. God of our weary years, god of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far on the way. Thou who has died i might lead us into the light keep us forever in the past we pray. Father, as we approached you today we rejoice and say thank you. We remember how far you have brought us and thank you for allowing this courageous work of former members, students known forever as the little rock 92 willingly put on their armor as they fought injustice. We thank you for allowing their actions and those others around the state and country to ultimately topple many of the laws that presented equal access to books, equipment and schools that would not outdated or substandard. Thank you also, father, for allowing them to be the forerunners of change and erratic heaters of jim crow laws that held our four parents in the cool grip of post slavery times. Now our father, we thank you for allowing this Group Present today to shine your clear penetrating light on situations that continue to need enhancements. You no, lord, that are perfect schools still need improvement on many levels. Allow us, father, to remain diligent and faithful in the pursuing the cause for all students of every race, creed, color in gender with the opportunity to receive a Quality Public School education. Help us remember the past and the purpose of building a better, stronger, brighter and more successful future together for every child. Equip our families, communities, organizations and public academic institutions with the resources and willingness to Work Together to help every child succeed. We thank you and we praise you. In jesus name, amen. You may be seated. This is a room filled with dignitaries. We have current and former elected officials from federal, state and local governments. We had heads of state agencies, Higher Education institutions and churches, as well as civil rights leaders. Also in the audience is a delegation from our sister city in newcastle, united kingdom. In the interest of time we are not going to recognize each person by name but to each and every one of you and to all of those gathered today, welcome. Thank you for being here. I want to take this time to remember one who is not here. On september 5th, 2010 Jefferson Thomas passed away. We are honored to have his widow, mary, here with us today. As a tribute to jeff, we have an anti chair on the stage, draped in a ribbon of essentials colors of old gold in black. Please join me in a moment of silence for Jefferson Thomas memory. Thank you. As we move into the comments portion of our program it is by distinct pleasure to bring forward to individuals served as student body president of Little Rock Central High School. Both also served a decade ago as members of the 50th anniversary committee. She now works with the Clinton Foundation in new york city and he is an attorney and a banker was a former member of the Arkansas House of representatives. Student body president in 93 and 94, student body president in 1985, 86. Lets welcome them. [applause] sixty years ago today the scene was much different in this auditorium and in the hallways of the school. Yes, there were Police Officers in media in people milling about on this campus but as we now know the tone and tenor of the day was one of hostility, not hospitality. It was a day of anxiety and anger, not appreciation in applause. Elected officials were staying far away from campus even if the present was felt. On behalf of all the fellow Little Rock Central High School buddy president s over the years darren and i are here to officially welcome everyone to the school, our beloved alma mater, where six decades ago obstruction was the order of the day but now we celebrate a school where openness is the rule. This year, little rock central high, turns 90 years old. Over the years tens of thousands of students have walked through the followed holes. Each student with a story to tell. As i look at the seniors gathered on stage i think my own two children who are recent graduates of central and i am honored to be a part of the story of the school. It is fitting that today we are in the roosevelt as an auditorium with little little rock nine. Rosie was a brilliant mind and a rising star not only in the state but in this nation. The experience that he had in governor quinns office and later at Yale University were feasible because of his time here at central. The opportunities that he had it since it will make possible by the courageous efforts of the little rock nine. Today over 27 linkages are spoke at the of centralized students. Regardless of her race or ethnicity we all owe a debt of gratitude to the little rock nine and we are reminded that we pay that debt service. [applause] welcome to Little Rock Central High School. Hail to the old gold, heal to the black. [applause] thank you, joy and aaron. President eisenhower tried to broker an agreement with governor through the efforts of congressman brooks it was not until little rock pleaded for federal intervention them to the present sent in the 101st airborne. I now present to you to bring greetings, the current mayor of little rock, mark. [applause] good morning everyone. Today as a city and as americans we pause to reflect on the events of september 25, 1957 is one of the first struggles of the civil right movement. We are here commemorating the 60th anniversary of the opening of these High School Doors 29 Young School Students who endured incredible adversity to integrate central high and the profound impact that it made and continues to make on the issues of equality and opportunity. Not just on the city and state, not just on this country but indeed the world. We are here today to commemorate this extraordinary struggle for equality and opportunity. An ultimate triumph in the history of our nation in the history of our city. Indeed, when Ernest Greene, and marched as a senior to receive his diploma in the stadium the world noticed and doctor Martin Luther king was there seated in the stands to witness the occasion. Today we acknowledge this painful moment in our past and we reflect on the progress that we have made. As was mentioned, we are sitting in the roosevelt auditorium named after one of little rocks most gifted africanamerican students, student body president and a yellow scholar that was taken from us way too soon. He accomplished so much in a short life and a young man that was given an opportunity and did he ever excel. The legacy of the little rock nine demands that we redecorate our self to the product the remains unfinished. I want to thank you the little rock nine for coming back to little rock and to commemorate the significant day. However, it does not go unnoticed that most of you left little rock after your High School Days and pursuit opportunities elsewhere. Achieving many distinguished careers, indeed realizing the importance of finding that opportunity wherever it existed. Much of our work here in little rock centers on the idea of opportunity, how do we ensure that all our people have access to opportunity to pursue their dreams. Recently i saw the film it figures based on the book about the africanamerican female mathematicians and their nasa and it struck me that was set in 1961, four years after the events of Little Rock Central High School, and seven years after the decision of brown versus board of education, the for decision and yet in 1961, virginia the resistance to integration was rampant however three buildings africanamerican woman at nasa, catherine brown, Dorothy Vaughn and mary jackson were given the opportunity to excel and in so doing served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history. Is a small launch of astronaut john glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored our nations confidence in herself and galvanized the world. That story like the individual Success Stories of the little rock nine exemplifies what people are capable of when given the opportunity. I cannot help but think is a possibility that could transpired had the little rock nine had the opportunity to accomplish the magnificent work that they have achieved in the last 60 years were it right here in little rock. How much are we missing out on . By not possessing opportunities for our people to thrive right here at home . The states are probably high and every time a child has run into this world those to rise. How do we harness the potential of every child in person in our city, encompassing the goal is incredibly gated and requires the involvement of every part of park city. It cannot be done by government alone, it requires a Stable Family structure matter how big or what that family looks like. Early childhood education is key and graduation is paramount, health and proper nutrition are essential to learning and so is the physical environments. Our neighborhoods, streets, parks, work skills and a job making more than a minimum wage plays a huge role in a persons ability to maximize opportunity. As i reflect on the progress that we have made here is the city i recognize that while we have made Great Strides we have much work to do. At city hall these goals are what keep us going in the areas where we can help. It is why through the recovery act 8. 6 million was injected into the neighborhood south of interstate 630. Over 100 Housing Units were created in his very neighborhoods right here around central high and its why each year young people become world changes and in the course of two weeks transform the home of elderly citizens on fixed incomes and some of our much challenged neighborhoods. It is why this friday, thanks to president clintons program, will launch the neighborhood safety core where we will have 30 Young People Working around clean up hotspots in our city that are prone to crime. It is why through our multiple felony reentry programs we are giving people a second chance. Be the first to say there is so much more for us to do. As much as anything, encompassing the school will require being given an opportunity. We have seen that given an opportunity our people can overcome almost any challenge. My challenge to all of us, to our city today, is to use the examples set by the little rock nine share the opportunities you have been given. There is much work to do and do not pull up the ladder behind you, measure a childs, encourage education and success, help a young adult get a job and getting into the workforce, give them the first opportunity to learn responsibility and respect. Use the opportunities that you have been given and that degree from high school or college, that you have earned to give back to help the next generation of leaders in our city. The central high crisis of 1957 is part of our history but it does not have to be our legacy. Worry of how far we have come and resolved that continues the Unfinished Business of opening the doors to opportunity. Indeed, the legacy of the little rock nine requires it. Let us take this active day as a springboard to dedicate ourselves to the session. Sees the day, sees the opportunity, our future depends on it. Thank you very much. Through the efforts of us senators along with cars from little rock i was declared a National Historic site. That legislation, as we no, was signed into law by president bill clinton. Central high school is the only National Park site that is also a function in a school. Representing the National ParkService Today is mr. Cameron shelley, the midwest regional director of the National Park service. Welcome. [applause] good morning. Great to be in a room filled with so many generations of inspiring people and before i get started a special shout out to nancy russo, a tremendous partner you and your staff and has been incredible. Thank you to the School District and the city for having us here. On behalf of the entire National Park service including robin wright is the superintendent of our site here and her tremendous team we are proud to be a part of this event with you commemorating this anniversary. Not just as an organization that is committed to telling the history of this site in perpetuity but as your partner and your fellow citizens. The National Park service proudly manages a system of parks in the country that represents a remarkable collection of places that in trying our nations and durings most and they remind us constantly of the tremendous sacrifices that americans like the little rock nine made on behalf of this country. It really is our privilege as your steward to protect some of americas most incredible places and to tell some of americas most important historical events. Its an honor that we take very seriously. Little Rock Central High School is all of those things and its a credible place with credible people and its a very part of our nations history. As all of us know there are parts of that history that are not easy to talk about. s that are very painful and difficult to tell. It is essential that we tell them and that we do it in a way that keeps them in the forefront of the american conscience and that we translate the lesson and the sacrifices of the past into the dialogue of the present in the teacher. Events that occurred here 60 years ago truly transform america into a better country and a contributed so emergently to the National CivilRights Movement and forced our nation to look in the mirror and base its own image and while the conflict between the federal and state governments occurred out in public, the real battle was here in this building and these classrooms, wayne on the shoulders of nine Young American students who were literally serving as ambassadors of change in moral courage. When Little Rock Central High SchoolNational Historic site was established in 1998 with u. S. Congress and president bill clinton, thank you, sir [applause] that effort that so many of you in her played a part of assured that the events that transpired here will never fade into history. President clintons signature on that legislation also allow the National Park service proudly to work with you to be a perpetual guardian of the transformative historical events that occurred here. Though no one will fully understand what the little rock nine experienced here because the site is a National Park unit and because of so many of your efforts in sports 1 million americans already have and millions of americans in the future will have the opportunity to better understand the extreme hardships they endured, become educated as to how the courage and bravery of these incredible americans change the course of history in this country forever and theres no question this site has become more and more relevant to our nation as times have gone on. Not just to the American People but to the american dialog. It is continually allowed us to provoke reflections in history, share lessons of her past and created a better awareness about our nations struggle toward equality. As your steward and partner of this great place an important story we remain committed than ever to help the events to tell the events accurately for the benefit of education and inspiration of current and future generations. Every one of you in this room in one way or another exemplifies the perseverance of the american spirit but no group more so than these pioneers of civil rights that we are commemorating here today. [applause] two of those extraordinary pioneers and your families, we thank you for your sacrifices, know that the courage and your actions will be remembered here forever, that you are an absolute inspiration for country, to you and to all of you the National Park service is very proud to be your partner here. Thank you. [applause] sixty years ago the office of the governor of arkansas worked to keep the little rock nine out of the school. Times have certainly changed. In 1987, 1997 and 2007 governors bill clinton, Mike Huckabee and mike beebe embraced the little rock nine just as his immediate predecessors have honored the little rock nine today it is my pleasure to introduce the Current Governor to welcome them. Governor asa hutchinson. [applause] thank you. Thank you. Good morning. President clinton, where, and those of the little rock nine with us today, doctor melba, elizabeth, ernest, gloria, paul mark, carlotta, doctor terrance, managing managing, and selma i want to tell you how much i enjoyed our visit before the ceremony today. We are gathered here today so that our state and nation will never forget the courage, fortitude and persistence you showed the world 60 years ago. The events of that fall they changed the path of the nation. The bravery of youth inspired hope for all streams had been crushed by an under system, a system that failed to change with deliberate speed. Your quiet determination and your stubborn refusal to abandon your dreams, not only forced action but set an example that will last into the ages. Whether you witnessed the events in person or, like me, studied and reflected on that moment in history from the distance we are all equally challenged, motivated and grateful for those who said we can do it because it is right and because it is just. In 1957 we know what the makeup of central high student body was and because of you the student body of the class of 2018 looks different. Your enrollment comprises students from 27 countries who speak a total of 24 languages. It is important to remember that little rock central was integrated years before reverend Martin Luther king gave his landmark, i have a dream speech, on the steps of the lincoln memorial. It is a significant historical fact that a reverend king was quietly in the audience when Ernest Greene walked across the podium to receive his diploma and become the first africanamerican graduate of central high. Perhaps [applause] perhaps reverend king was propelled by that moment to fully see the potential of his own dreams and perhaps he got a glimpse of the mountaintop where all of gods children are created equal. The integration of central high was so early in the Civil Rights Movement that it was before many of the counters sit ins and for the bus rides and that fact gives us all an even greater appreciation for the lonely steps of the little rock nine as a confronted hostility, the unknown and a defiant governor. On this 60th anniversary what can we draw upon to guide us today . We should never, first of all, undervalue the transcendent importance of how we treat each other. Lets seek understanding, live each day with words of encouragement information and lets pray and work for more civil society. Those students at central high resisted the mob mentality and hysteria and acted in kindness to the little rock nine are additional examples to us all. There is also a lesson for our nation. We are all made in gods image and america cannot fulfill its destiny if we limit any persons dreams because of how one is born. We are all part of the fabric of this nation and we hope our greatness will be defined by our goodness. There is another lesson, just as our ancestors is in history, do not define our values in the same sense the victories, sacrificially one by the little rock nine do not guarantee equal opportunity or freedom from discrimination for this generation or the next. Whether it is revisiting the lessons of history or sounding the alarm about current dangers we must be constant and educating the present generation about tolerance, forgiveness and equal treatment. Finally, i want to thank the little rock 94 enduring the pain. There is no other word to describe your experience 60 years ago but we are grateful as a state and the nation for the difference you made for all of us. Arkansas claims you as pioneers, heroes and examples to follow. Thank you and may god have his continued blessing on the little rock nine. [applause] we are honored to have with us today, doctor Henry Louis Gates junior. Doctor gates is the Alphonse FletcherUniversity Professor and director of the Hutchins Center for applicants and africanamerican research at harvard university. He is not just a historical scholar and educator. As many as you no, he is an emmywinning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critics and institution builder. Doctor gates has authored and coauthored 21 books and created 15 documentary films. The university of Central Arkansas has been collaborating with him and brought him to little rock for this weekend. We are pleased to have him join us today to bring remarks setting the location. Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome, doctor gates junior. [applause] thank you. Take you. Thank you so much for that kind introduction. Mr. President , governor hutchinson, congressman phil, i feel like im visiting a religious time. I first saw this in september, 1957 after i just turned seven years old. I never dreamed ever that i would be standing here in the auditorium of this great high school. If this is a shrine, ladies and gentlemen, these are the things that we are here to honor. [applause] doctor Benjamin Mays the spiritual mentor to the reverend doctor Martin Luther king jr. And president of the Morehouse College from 194019671 said and i quote we are interlaced and interwoven in a garment of destiny. We are all bound together in one great humanity. We as americans, found ourselves bound together in one great humanity at the intersections of history in place no more so, ladies and dutchmen, here in little rock, arkansas. I was four years old when the Supreme Court ruled in brown verse board that separate was inherently unequal. I was six when the naacp filed suit against the little rock School District on behalf of 33 africanamerican students who had attempted to register in allwhite schools only to be rebuffed. I was seven when arkansas governor orval eugene to find a federal court order in the name of segregation in states rights. When a young africanamerican woman, elizabeth, cradling her books and wearing that white dress and those dark sunglasses encountered of. Mob of taunts and lynching threats, when president eisenhower ordered the hundred and first which had fought so valiantly on dday in france in the little rock nine braved the hate and fear of change to walk in the school in quiet dignity at last through the front door of Central High School. History is on your side, doctor king, watched the events unfold before our very eyes on television. World opinion is with you he wrote, the moral conscience of millions of white americans is with you. Keep struggling with this fate and the tragic midnight of anarchy and mob rule which encompasses your city at this time will be transformed into the glowing daybreak of freedom and justice. The years after the democratic revolution that happened in your town, in the school, embodied by nine exceedingly brave schoolchildren, ladies and gentlemen we once again find yourself in the struggle for freedom and justice in earlier. At this moment, unimaginable for most of us just a year ago we, those of us who love the truth and justice ballon political party, have to draw a line in the same. As a major line in the sand 60 years ago, then as now we must defend the right of every american to cast their vote for the candidate of their choice. [applause] must, at all cost defend the affirmative Action Program that launched so many people of color in women of all colors into their positions of authority. [applause] we must fight for healthcare is a right [applause] and to keep the pipeline of opportunity open for the next generation and the next generation after that. Regardless of our ideological differences we must link arms and stand publicly against anti semitism and against homophobia and against islam a phobia. [applause] and against black racism in ladies and gentlemen against white supremacist ideology and all this ugly, hateful speech. [cheering and applause] the little rock nine stood at the end and they stand now for the promise of opportunity and equality etched in the word of our countrys founding documen documents. They also stand for the work in the struggle it took to realize those words for all of our nations citizens. As my friends, president bill clinton, observed so eloquently on the 40th anniversary of the little rock nine, 1997 40 years later we know there is still more doors to be open, wider indoors we have to keep from ever being shot again. In remarks that show this moment say that president clinton exhorted us to do better that day. [laughter] sorry about that. I feel like the doing the warm up before the beatles. Im doing my best and im a poor black man doing my best. [laughter] we know that work is not over and we cannot allow forces of reaction to turn back the clock on american racial relations of littering the heroic efforts of legions of americans white and black, asian and latino, jewish, muslim and christian, gay, straight, and trans who risk and sometimes gave their lives to make certain that the art of the moral universe bent toward justice. Too many hands today ladies and gentlemen are trying to bend back in another direction. Its a direction for the past. Those of us who love truth and justice and those of us who love the principles of democracy upon which this great nation of ours was found in must stand against those horses just as the little rock nine did hear in this very place. If we hold firm to our moral conscience and to our faith, to our shared history into the possibilities it secured for us, the tragic midnight of our time will be transformed into the glowing daybreak freedom and justice. Thank you very much. [applause] in his gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln said and i quote the world will little note nor long remember what we say here but it can never forget what they did here. Time will be the judge as to whether what is said here today gets remembered. But what is indisputable is that we do remember what the little rock nine did hear at the school 60 years ago today. The world does indeed remember thelma, terrence, minnie jean, jefferson, gloria, ernest, elizabeth and carlotta. They have been immortalized, not just in our memories, but in photographs, movies, songs, plays, paintings and the postage stamp. We now turn to a time in the program to give each of the eight living members the chance to share remarks with us. Before they do, it is important to remember that the little rock nine did not act alone. They had the support and sacrifice of their parents, their grandparents, their siblings and other family members. We have some of those family members with us today. Let us give them a round of applause. [applause] there was also the tireless work of elsie and the legal efforts of Wally Branson and chris mercer in arkansas as well as Thurgood Marshall in the naacp and there was ministers friends and neighbors and the reverend Martin Luther king jr. Was right presents for Ernest Greene graduation in may 1958 and yes, they received support but each day it was still nine teenagers who went into the school. Today we hear from eight of them, not quite teenagers anymore but still full of the same spirit and drive. [applause] doctor melba. [applause] the morning. How wonderful that you would take time so early in the morning to get up and stand with us and remember us. We are very grateful for your presence. Let us not ever indicate to you that we got here or that we made it through that year at Central High School on her own steam. First of all there was the lord jesus give me the strength and directs me everyday. [applause] my mother always said to me god has a picture of you on his bridge reader. [laughter] he is as close to you as your skin. Certainly, making it the Central High School took a whole combination of elements. One that i believe the lord jesus conducted. First of all, dont want not everyone was racist but some were certainly with us as we transitioned into the situation by the nation and all of us changed from what we were to what we are. It is a joy to come back to arkansas and i sat in a taxi in its a joy to see women policeman skin is also a color. Its a joy to someone who has been away to come back and see the miracle of love in change and i thank you so much for that. I really again want to say to you you are a part of this. You get to be with one i always take you with me when i do that. , state, god and me, sees always got in you and everyone around us. Love is the only answer. Thank you. [applause] elizabeth. [applause] i returned to arkansas in my family in 1974. I was not politically active. Among the nine of us than of us talked about what it was like inside the school for 30 years. I was prompted to Start Talking about it in 1999 when i heard reflections that were foreign to my experience here. I hope someday that opposing sides can have nonaccusatory dialogue. I have a saying that i believe deep in my heart that the only way we can have true recreation is if we honestly acknowledge our painful but shared past. Thank you. [applause] Ernest Greene. Thank you very much. To the organizers of all of this, mr. President , governor, distinguished guest, doctor gates, to the audience, Central High School supporters and lovers, to my family and my wife, phyllis, my daughters just got in mckinsey and my sister and nephews i think one of us, 60 years ago as we arrived in the back of army jeeps knew that we would be standing here today. Making history is not something we aspired to do. We wanted the best education our parents, taxes afforded. We wanted what the constitution said the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and i saw education as part of that right. [applause] after september 4th when we were denied admittance i did with my parents family taught me. I dug in my heels and the bible says w we been indoors for a nit but joy comes in the morning. It was a long night. [laughter] will moderate but still seemingly small. The progress has to continue because there is no finish line. It turns in charlottesville protesting nazis, mohammed turns to taking a need for injustice. [applause] and the charleston nine and the ultimate sacrifice for peacefully assembling in a church. [applause] the Methodist Episcopal Church ahas many because of its proud heritage. We need Young Lawyers like thurgood and marshall and Community Activists and leaders to continue to engage. [applause] we need parents and caregivers who actively engage in the education of their children like all of the parents of the mine and i want our children to know they have a continued role in this marathon of progress. Be prepared to take up the mantles of little rock nine and realize that education is the key to upward mobility. [applause] i may have been the first to graduate but i didnt cross at this stage by myself. I crossed the stage for my compatriots over here, jeffers jefferson, thomas, and terrence roberts. They still have a graduation on the horizon. The victory was still there is and as i crossed the stage and accept it at the moment for the next 8,000 or 8 million ive known that in the years since the different paths one can take there are random paths that dont follow anything. Know that thesnote that these at by one person, not by nine people but generations of people by the footprints left by someone else. And also no doubt it may intrigue someone else to follow a path yet not forged. It wont be easy and it wouldnt happen overnight. But as my sisters told me as many follow the path will be a permanent reminder of someone elses initial steps for the tigers, black and gold, god bless each of you. [applause] gloria. [applause] i never thought i would stand here. I cant say that i feel comfortable being here, but i am here and it feels pretty good. [applause] people ask us or especially me, a lot about the first Central High School. My daughter reminded me the other day of another thing that she knew about the. She suggested i talk to you today about the last day of school because no one ever asks about that. You know what kind of a year we had. They had announced yearbooks and i remember getting mine and it presented a situation for me quite different from the others. I had my book and there i was now this 15yearold little gi girl. Who was going to sign my book, who would i go up to and asked to sign a book . I stood there for a while with my book open, and then the girl that i strange to note that came out and signed my book. I had one signature in my book and then another girl came and signed my book. She wrote in a different age, we could have been friends. Thank you. [applause] thank you, and good mornings. President clinton did the governor of arkansas and the mayor of arkansas and all the other distinguished guests here in the stage thank you for being here. I was asked about a year and a half ago by the city manager what it would be like for the 60th anniversary to give them some ideas. They already had ideas of what was going to take place. I want to be very honest and clear with you. I said to him i would like to have dinner in the white house with president hillary clinton. [cheering] but this is the second best, being here. [laughter] on the day that we commemorate this weekend, september 25, we went as teenagers, anxious and worried that we had missed over two weeks of school. We didnt know what the day would hold or what would happen in the year ahead. We didnt realize the goal that would be played behind the scenes in our high school experience. 1987, 30 years later, all of us came back for the first time that we had seen each other as a group. It was governo was governor clit welcomed us into the governors mansion. Hillary clinton had been under the weather and came down to the kitchen and we talked into the early mornings of the hour with the mayor of little rock. [applause] 1997, governor clinton was not president clinton and the welcome was overwhelming and kind and gracious. It was wellmeaning and heartfelt. It was time, it seemed, to set things right. 2007, 50 years later, all of us are still together as the little rock nine. We have grown older, but we all have made it. We had children, grandchildren and each of us successful in the world in which we lived, and it was give back time. Ten years after the 40th anniversary, we had set up the Little Rock Nine Foundation when there was support among the students decided they needed tht step towards Higher Education. We were happy to see each other and call one another friend and to have shared important moments in history with one another and with a nation that honored us. We have a place in the modern Civil Rights Movement. 60 years later we returned to little rock to central high as the citizens. The right to speak his name aloud. [applause] he was the one who would be engaged with a sense of humor and we miss him these days. Only by another remains and she is here with my family, my husband, my two children and my grandchildren, four generations along with our sibling. [applause] thank you for that. We become as we were 60 years ago anxious and worried and concerned about what lies ahead. This weekend and in the years ahead, we know these things come as a human race we are a strong people and in the word of the spiritual, we have come too far to turn back now. [applause] just one more thing. One more thing we all like to say have a good day, but i say to you have a day that matters. [applause] doctor terrence roberts. [applause] in the name of full disclosure, its important that you know i come here not to celebrate, not that i dont want to celebrate, but this time has not yet come. [applause] the balloons are in the closet, the confetti is stored away, but newsmakers and every variety that you can imagine, the waiting to make their noise. Its any 75 year wait for me. For most of the years ive been aware consciously of the need for change. But theres something you should know about my addition for those of you that urge have urged me o celebrate progress, i say look at it from my perspective. First, what i want is for none of this effor ever to have happ. [applause] with that said, i have a new vision that shows me what it possibly could be that it cant happen, i cant do it alone. We all have to engage in this war against the forces that are determined to shore up and maintain the status quo. That is not feasible. How can we do that . You can decide to choose to live a life thats different than the life you have chosen to live. I dont make the assumption that everyone here shares my vision but i do make the assumption that you are willing to investigate the options as you become aware of them and you are aware by how they are chosen. Its one of the deadly sins that we face. [applause] if we are willing to move away from the position and take a more balanced position, i think i have a chance to see what i need to see. How could it have been . For those of you in the audience, i speak now directly to you. One, you have a bible. Some of you may not know that it is simply an acronym. Basic instruction before leaving earth. [applause] if we dont know the exact date of our exit from this place, it is imperative that you read the instructions now. And as you do, you will find admonition to treat your brother and or sister and you would treat your self. [applause] i cant imagine given the history of this country that those of you that are professed christians would want that to continue. I was told, and i mentioned this in the interface service the other day, i was told by the minister in this town i had no business being at some troll and i dont know if he was reading the same bible that i had. I went back home to look for the passage to see where he got that information and i had yet to find it. My understanding is that we care enough to confront when you care enough to confront coming you get in other peoples faces. Its not about being combated, it is about loving care. If you have a child into the child has a penchant for pain near the offerings you would come from them. You would use every instrument possible to maintain the safety and wellbeing of the child. Think about it that way. Help us all move away from this status quo into the brighter light of understanding where we truly see each other. [applause] many jean brown. [applause] what its like to be on stage with really illustrative people greetings, thanks to the city. Isaiah here in spirit, i have my sister, i found her when she spoke out as she usually does. Theres nothing like the brown sisters. So, i consider this commemoration and they look up the definition that says the pilgrimage is a search of moral or significance to a degree that journey to enshrine other locations of importance to the one im standing in a place of such significance and remember that i was fired and the heat of Little Rock Central High School, there is no forgetting to. So in many different ways we will continue activism. We come here to stimulate the conversation that needs to happen here and everyplace else. Suffering from my phrase found intentional ignorance. [applause] i said it on television so i expect it a little bit later today so astrophysicists doctor tyson says we are close to the unraveling of inherent informed democracy. We have to think about how we are in a place of education. The theme of the Little Rock Central High School in the Historic Site is about education that ever will be or shall be about education. Who knows about marvin . [laughter] [applause] we are here to remind ourselves and you and we hope that we can inspire people. Remember we are 14, 15, just turning 16 so we want to inspire the young people. Dont think of us as special because we are ordinary people, but ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and we are proof of that. Thank you very much. [applause] giving remarks on behalf please welcome her grandson gabriel. [applause] i am more than honored to speak on behalf of my beautiful grandmother [applause] it has been many years since i answered this Historical Building and i did so today with a sense of anticipation and hope for the future of this educating here and other facilities throughout the state. The year i spent here mostly related to safety fortunately and psychological issues i experienced no physical harm. See my continued growth and education as a teacher and counselor. I hope the same can be said for my students. I Hope Arkansas will continue to experience this and experienced people of different beliefs. I would also like to add that the proliferation of Charter Schools has given us cause for concern of the future of conventional public education. [applause] we do not want the schools to become centers for those that perform educational standards. We must continue to be the vigilance of the education of ff all children for whom the future depends. Thank you for your time and education. [applause] let us say thank you again for each of the little rock nine. [applause] to introduce the keynote speaker is our pleasure and honor to bring to the podium, the woman who knows every inch of a school so owns it. Since the summer of 2002 as principal she thinks about Central High School each day. I suspect that each day she is in little rock whether the school is in session or not she spends time at the school and School Related functions. Nancy is an ambassador for the little rock high school, the students, alumni and the entire city of little rock. She is one of a few people who has worked on the 40th anniversary, 50th anniversary, and now the 60th anniversary commemorations. Join me in welcoming the principal nancy. [applause] how in the world do you introduce bill clinton did to a roomful of people who not only know who he is but know him. Although i find it hard to believe the majority of the students were born after he left the white house. [laughter] as a student, bill clinton saul then face the mobs while watching them on television, probably blackandwhite television. [laughter] definitely. He has credited the experience of expanding his worldview. In 1987 as it was mentioned, he welcomed all nine to little rock. Bill clinton as governor gave them the tour of the governors mansion. As president in 97 he not only spoke at the ceremony, but along with governor huckabee and then the mayor jim daly opened the doors for the little rock nine to enter. He spoke as the former president during the 50th anniversary he also hosted the little rock nine reviewing of the emancipation proclamation was on exhibit at the time of the clinton president ial center. As previously mentioned, he signed the legislation that made Little Rock Central High School in National Historical site and this is a partnership about which we are so proud. People from all over the world walk the halls with students to see the historic schools. He presented each of the little rock nine with a congressional medal of honor ceremony at the white house. For the school and the little rock nine it goes on and on. In fact in the summer of 2016, some of the members joined me and a few hundred other people in the basement of Central High School during a tornado warning. [laughter] it turned out to be a major weather event was part of the roof being torn away into classrooms being destroyed. Im going to take a moment of personal privilege to say thank you. Thank you for all that youve done for this school. Your life and career are the embodiment of the four statute which adorn the front of the school and have looked out upon 90 years of history ambition, personality, opportunity and preparation ladies and gentlemen and my children behind me it gives me great honor to say what you help me and please welcome to the podium the 42nd president of the United StatesWilliam Jefferson clinton. [applause] first of all, thank you, madam principal for the leadership. Thank you for the park service for taking good care of us. For the radio talk held him it was to deny so many African Americans the opportunity of a decent education for so long you are an inspiration. Thank you for all you did for the country. Thank you for providing this to speak for they are the true heirs of what was done here six years ago. And for one of them i benefit every single day. [applause] my old friend that was introduced as doctor Henry Louis Gates. When i saw him coming up here i thought, how cute. Why, because all of his friends call him skip. [laughter] i spoke at the rotary Club Installation banquet. By the time i got up to speak people were hungry again. And the guy that introduced me and ran the campaign was more nervous than i was. But it sounded like was the truth. [applause] i think this group for letting me be a part of their lives, for sharing their true feelings and giving the true meaning of what we are here about i wanted to come here and reminisce. I was here for the anniversary and Andrew Jackson and i were on this stage and he told the students of little rock central high because america was facing a drug epidemic like this one today that they should open their brains and not their veins. We should never forget that long before it was popular he called on people to develop their minds and do their work so that they could claim their legitimate place to america. Skip gates has a tv show, have you ever seen it . He traces this lineage so is it governor hutchison may be related to john brown was it that they said it all amounts to what was the pink elephant in the closet . Almost all the aunt almost zero africanamericans and maybe there is not a single one whose entire lineage comes from people from Subsaharan Africa. And almost not all white people are white, either. [laughter] and unless all of you are ancestors from Subsaharan Africa three or 4 of your human genome is from the neanderthals. [laughter] i have this bucket list and one of the things i wanted to do is understand the genomics, particle physics and astrophysics at to sequence the human genome now you can do it for about 100 its given us more than 300 billion in Economic Activity so it is the best investment of your tax money ever made so you get a return when you invest in the infrastructure and science and technology as well. [applause] so, anyway, i read that human ancestors first showed up between 150 to 200,000 years ago and event ticket to the middle east and europe. And for 40,000 years after that, we co inhabited europe with the neanderthals. It turns out we liked each other better than we knew. [laughter] but they were bigger than us. They were stronger than we are. Their brains were just as big before the reasons no one knows as far as we can determine, they never wrote a book or a poem or spoke to each other in traditional ways but it appears they didnt survive the last era and we did perhaps we could run faster but in all probability because we could communicate, and we could clobber it. The greatest biologist eo wilson says the greatest cooperators are the most likely to survive and the rest of species that ever lived for the cooperation of a. They only drilled airconditioned housing. I will tell you what that has to do with all of this. In their living quarters when its going to rain, they know it. Bees pollinate 96 of all of the food humans consuming and you should worry that a lot of them are dying out because of the environmental and chemical conditions beyond their control. The most touching picture i saw from the awful devastation of harvey in the gul and the gulf d houston is the Rushing Water in the city street and on it is massive fire ants. It mustv must have been 100,00r more of them and those at the bottom sacrifice themselves so that they would all survive by floating away to freedom of. But we can do more of that. I wanted to stand up and say a few things about that and tell everyone i love them and sit down. Then we had all this other stuff happening that people talked about. So, i wanted to say you did 60 years, take a victory lap. Put on your dancing shoes, have a good time. Instead, i have to say youve got to put on your marching boots. [applause] this is not a partisan issue. It does the 15th amendment the e right to vote which he said was the most important thing that had happened since the founding of the United States of america. [applause] and the last time i was here on this stage was with george w. Bush because our Leadership Scholars Program takes time during the graduation where his gaze and mine and we ge we givee a threeyear geek will be divided by party, represented a race, gender, religion, you name it. They come together and study together and these were people that readily admits in the world we live, they would never have met each other had it not been for this program. And the study these decisions and discuss how it ought to be made on the end and low and behold, they find out there is something to the most important study. Itso 99. 9 the same genomic la. Every difference you can see. They are now going back and revisiting the original questions of the country and the original things that poor of this country apart. Its bad enough that every single one of us spend 99. 9 of the time but are different, the, dont we, we should have [inaudible] i could have played a saxophone had i done a lot of work. We all spent the time. Now, we are back to square one. Thats all that matters. Number two, tribalism. Its a sweeping the world. It is entirely understandable and anybody who didnt see it coming wasnt out there in 2014 and 2015 like i was but when you have people who feel like theyve been passed by economically, social become a culturally and politically, and the study of resentment and they dont ever meet anybody different from them, then that is the core of it and all you need is a little leaving. People get careless about whether they vote at midterm. The other thing pretty soon somebody else says i want my resentment and mine is more than your resentment. Lets fight about whose resentment is the most authent authentic. Pretty soon, somebody is trying to keep you from voting and erasing you from the pole with a map not subject to the review. They think these people are so messed up and for not i will mess with their heads. Isnt the internet wonderful. [laughter] and the answer is yes and no. The answer to everything is yes and no. Thats why democracy requires diversity and debate. Theres almost no of mixed blessings. I dont think that they ever wanted to go to Little Rock Central High School and get a good education and have a good wife slife so that one day theyd be in control if everybody didnt look like them. I think they wanted to be part of america. Part of the world to be the way god made us all to see. You cant do that if all you think about is the half difference. You cant do that if you ignore this teaching of everything and every religion says in one way or another after the love of god, the most important thing is to love your neighbor. So all of the people say what is the definition of neighbor. They dont remember the parable of the Good Samaritan and that it was not generally thought to be the neighbor of the israelites. Theres still 200,000 of them to be in the middle east and they are in danger like every other small religion by people who in the name of the Perfect College and enough of god. They say they may as well turn away into the car say learn from one another. It says you are not really alive unless you can feel the ergo piercing another persons body as if they are entering your own. [applause] what is the matter with us . I heard at the rally in alabama and thought i have to look at the little rock nine [inaudible] wallace was the first guy that thought i can get white folks from all over america to vote just like they do here i just have to get them torn up in the sentiment. Got to stop people from thinking. They forgot i knew George Wallace in the last years of his life and i remember when he apologized to the people of alabama for fanning the flames of racial hatred and discrimination and asked them to forgive him and cost to serve them all. I remember when it was so painful that can two hours to get dressed every day and he got up early every day to go to a governors meeting to protest new rules against coal miners being thrown off disability. I remember there was a chuck driver with a ninth grade education involved in an accident was cut off of disability because they said he could work as a telephone receptionist. George wallace got up out of bed to vote against that. He became reconciled to the fact we all have a place to. We dont want to go back there. We dont want to get into my resentment is more authentic than yours. We want to look at the program on television and find out all the funny things about our ancestors but we never dreamed about and see how dumb or any of us to deny any possibility to any american. I want these young people to have the brightest future ever offered for any generation. Part of that is whether we can create jobs and face of robotics and Artificial Intelligence and all these changeatall these chae going to happen. Part of it is can we ever bring again to save Economic Opportunities to the Rural America that they once had. I think the answer to both is yes but it will not happen by feeding into the resentment especially the presentment against immigrants. Because we deliver three things first is now only the replacement level. The workforce determines a low education level and investment bubble. Having lost it i can tell you it matters a lot of ways but it does matter in the economic potential. Fact number two. Including the undocumented immigrants is one half the primary of the nativeborn. Fact number three it is twice that of the nativeborn. We should be worried about the problems and how we can solve them together. [applause] we need to protect the border from people, of course. Are there National Security questions we face i will tell you one thing we are going to get from here to there providing what they got at little rock central high. 90 years ago when the school opened it was somebody designating the School Building in america. The Football Team is dissipated. When i was the governor of one school has 25 or 30 of all of the merit scholarships of the state but had to work like crazy to bring the latin prize over one consistent competitor from the population 300. Its always the history of the and they would give one permit every year and the condition to getting the permit was that you had to give half the meat in the facility has a cookbook from the tide. They were the only people in central high. Why am i telling you this because that is the real meaning of their lives to be a part of america. John lewis said on the floor of the congress the other day that he was inspired as a young man at 17 i am and that he had to find a way to get in the way. So we all got to get in the way of. This country is by far the best Division Country in the world for the 21st century. Theres no point getting in our own way any longer but we have to reject presentment and anger in favor of answers. We have to reject polarization and demonization in favor of mutual respect. Most likely opened up an exhibit at the library and i never cease to be amazed at the discipline and respect and show the political adversaries. They told people that criticized them hes got 62 of the vote. Are you out of your mind. Its the first time in 300 years can we run the banks or the military or anything by ourselves . They only know what you know and think like you think. Any of the challenges we face all by ourselves. The answer is always going to be no. And the silos they cant bear to think about but they are predisposed not to believe. As we face the question of the heart and mind today. I was glad that the most important thing i had to do was to hold the door open so that the world could see the reality of what the message was because we had just taken chelsea to college and we literally had to be run out of the room, the dorm room. And i realized that when i got here if their parents let them come here terrified because of the promise they offered that i had just taken for granted from our daughter. We could have learned in grade school. [applause] so celebrate today. Put on your dancing shoes, but tomorrow we need to get in the waves again. So tomorrow put on your marching boots. God bless you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] to write the text for lift every voice and saying and did 8996 years later and six years later hereto saying it now is the college choir. Having this choir sing this song does that play key roles six years ago it has become synonymous with the naacp after the 58 school year to provide the support for the of little rock nine. [applause] as we bring the program to a close look me extend my appreciation to the city manager who cheered the Steering Committee. [applause] after the City Employees was not enough heat on the role to play in the efforts that took well over one year his leadership has been invaluable while the legacy of the zero little rock nine efforts his son celebrates his 11th birthday today. [applause] also the knowledge of leadership of the superintendent School District. [applause] the convention and Visitors Bureau see all cl as well as a superintendent of the of Little Rock Central High School. [applause] over 60 people served on the Steering Committee and subcommittee. And for those Program Participants. With your symposium and also the Interfaith Service and those in attendance that your participation has been a part of this commemoration. Before the pastor of leads us let us pause for one more moment and show appreciation to though little rock nine it. [applause] [inaudible conversations] as the lord has blessed us and has blessed our coming together for what we have received here now though lord bless the and keep the and make his face to shine in the gracious and to give peace. [applause] thanks for joining us today. We need all Program Participants to remain on the stage and standing. Mr. Speaker, on sations] the question of race, we clearly have come a long way in america but we still have a long way to go. There are some in this country ho want to sugarcoat the africanamerican experience in the great United States of america, but the facts are the facts. In this country, the Africanamerican Community has been forced to endure