Coming up, the 33rd International Churchill conference. The Churchill Center hosted the event in washington, d. C. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the opening session of the 33rd International Churchill conference. My name is david freeman. Many of you know me already as the editor of finest hour, but im here this weekend acting as mike in my capacity as program chair. We want to make a special welcome for the cspan audience, which will be watching us live for all of programs today and tomorrow, so we are sticking to timetable. Were going to get right into it by introducing the executive director of the winston leechill society, mr. Phelps. Mr. Phelps thank you, and i join you in welcoming everyone who is here today in what will be a wonderful conference, or as one of our president ial candidates might say, this crowd is huge. It has been a year since our last and very memorable conference, and in my case, six years since i became your executive director. Yourg the past year, with support, we continue to build on the work that has gone before. Just consider a couple of things. Do a Google Search for winston 36rchill, you will find million results. ,t is hard to beat wikipedia but we will keep trying to be more accurate. Programsxpanded our from events with Young Professionals at the british embassy, the seminars at the aspen is issued, and the National World war i and world war ii it museums. We have reached out to prominent , such as our dinner last year with madeleine albright, and tonight at the state department with james baker. When i became executive director, lawrence at me to look into another idea, a permanent churchill studies a washington, d. C. I did not know much about that, but i found a brochure in our files. It began with, open we stand on the brink of a new century, quite a while ago. One of the great pleasures of being your executive director has been the opportunity to learn more about the life of Winston Churchill. So much of that knowledge has come from you. It has also allowed me to develop deep and cherished friendships. For me, the overriding purpose of the center is to ensure todays young people believe in three things first, that history matters. Second, that leadership is meaningful and that our destiny is not beyond our control. And third, that especially in challenging times, one person makes a difference in the world. Winston churchill is surely good a good example of that. I will be stepping down as the center fulltime director at the end of this month. Succeeded by a very talented individual, and i could not be more pleased about the chosen candidates. I am also delighted i will remain on the board of trustees and as an advisor and vigorously all of the Churchill Societys activities. I will continue speaking when the opportunity arises, and if it is a slow news day, perhaps i can get the wall street journal to let me write another oped. You all know the story when churchill was once asked about retiring, his response was, i closes. The pub but the metaphorical churchill called always remains open as long as, in the words of president kennedy, courage and faith and the best for freedom are indispensable, so you will find me in that, perhaps with a Johnnie Walker in hand. Come say hello and that we will have a great conversation, for there is nothing more fun than being a churchillian in the company of other churchillians s. Churchillian [applause] good morning. Memoirs,n his churchill observed on the American People that their National Psychology as such, that the bigger the idea, the more wholeheartedly and awesomely do they throw themselves into making it a success. Nearly 60 years ago, a small group of enthusiasts came together to compare notes on postage stamps bearing churchills likeness. Only a few months before he died , sir winstons son randolph gave his blessing to this newly formed organization. International Churchill Society was born. Today, as we gather for our 33rd international conference, we count more than 3000 members and over two dozen chapters worldwide. Journal, finest hour, has been published continuously since 1981. Leading politicians, journalists, authors, captains of industry, and renowned scholars, many of whom have actually spoken at our events but also contributed to our journals. Oure all, we learned reputation as the go to organization for anyone, be it idle amateur or famed academic. On thewith interest device and legacy of churchill. Churchillnging other websites into our fold as we work towards our goal of at least 4 million sessions annually. Hase our online monthly today more than 30,000 subscribers, our ambitious 100,000 subscribers is well within our reach. Thousandsconnect with more through our continuously strengthening social media. Latforms even more importantly, we have made it possible for High School Students around the world to have free access to the churchill archives online and to use the related and constantly learning modules. Already, some 1000 schools have signed up in the u. S. , u. K. , australia, and new zealand, and we are only just beginning. 5000ve our big step of schools. By making attendance at our , we havees free improved as an institution. We have professional staff. We are able to pay for quality contributions through our journals and conferences. Its solidified this growing professional identity, broadened our base, and firmed our finances. In 2013, we donated a bust of sir winston to prominent displays in the halls of the United States capitol building, and organized an unveiling ceremony of which secretary of state and all for congressional leaders republicans and democrats in a bipartisan effort publicly affirmed their for the man who was clearly the most important person in the 20th century. Yet, despite these achievements these many achievements we were at a disadvantage. The u. K. Is blessed with a plethora of physical assets that helped keep the memory of churchill a life. Memory. Ch of u. S. , the only physical asset is the National Churchill museum located on the campus of Westminster College in ofsouri, the site churchills iron curtain speech. It needed much more support to expand its reach and attract more businesses. We knew that without a significant platform here in washington, to educate succeeding generations and inject the lessons of churchills examples into the. Ightiest core doors of power aging would take its inevitable toll, and we would simply say into unpalatable obscurity. Our duty to churchill. Nfulfilled in the depth of the Global Economic crisis which began in 2008, i developed a plan for the future to be accomplished by 2015, the 50th anniversary of churchills death. To churchillss grandson, whose belief for a permanent home in washington to preserve his grandfathers legacy never wavered or one moment. Both pledged complete and unconditional support, pragmatic advice, and endless encouragement, although i that the levight was barking mad. Their deaths were devastating it clear thate time was not on our side. Yety last year, we entered another heavy loss with the death of the dean of all churchill scholars, samantha gilbert. A passionate supporter of this , which he called our lifeblood. We know that inspiration can always be found in the words of our hero never give in, never give in, never, never, never. Ill admit, however, that those economicths the downturns which affected our financial situation, and the daunting challenge we had set ourselves meant there were times when i had to fight mightily to keep churchills infamous black dog at bay, but to use another churchillian expression, i kept buggering on. Kept the always uplifting syria stands, and a sister, that. Onderful artist, edwina sands we will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude we owe and will owe true that incredibly hardworking, supportive church family, who despite having their own busy lives and large families always graciously give so much of themselves to our organization. It is a testament to what we are. Chieving today so many more hardworking family members are committed to our. Ause randolph plus siblings have accepted roles in this new organization. So we push forward and advance. We have, in fact, achieved much more than that original plan. We have made it more certain than ever that the legacy of churchill will continue to be widely known and appreciated throughout the world. The hardks also to work, creativity, and as well as the support of edwina sands, and those two dont wonderful churchillians, were at long last but rightfully merging with the National Museum of the United States, Westminster College. Our combined strengths are truly the classic case of two plus two equaling at least six. We have reached an important milestone. To mark this time of change, we are making some name changes as well. We will once again be known as the International Churchill society. [applause] to increase our name identification with nonmembers, the charleston bulletin will be radiant the churchill bulletin, beginning with the next issue. We have a new logo, emblematic of a fresh tomorrow, and , we will after decades officially open our national. Hurchill library this longawaited event could not have happened without the president s. Wo gw whose wisdom, endless patience with me, perseverance, and bear it will make him forever a much. Evered churchillian ics will both intellectually and financially support and coordinate the work of two u. S. Churchill institutions. The National Churchill library and center and the National Churchill museum. It will ensure these sister institutions not only cooperate as allies but promote the memory of Winston Churchill in north america. Importantly, they will flourish together far better than each could do on their own. Ics will also be based at this newly purpose filled facility, clc, to introduce a new acronym in a city full of alpha that acronyms. Readers,elcome writers, researchers, scholars, and the just plain curious to explore the life and legacy of churchill, using a growing and unique archival documents,. Ooks, and Electronic Media the collection will expand. Exhibitions of highprofile events will be organized. From here, our flourishing journals will continue to be published. The in clc will make meaningful and original contributions to churchills studies. Symposium and lectures and debates will always be happening. Links to our sister institutions in britain and fulton will provide amazing opportunities for sharing expeditions and events. Will be thelc epicenter for all churchillrelated activities in the United States. Finally, churchillians throughout north america will have their permanent home. To historye linked the situated here in the very of one of the most important with capitals. This new home is only a few minutes walk from the white house, where i am happy to say a bust of churchill continues to last 50s it has the years in the private quarters of the first family. This is not the end. Its not even the beginning of the end. Is, perhaps, after nearly a 50year start, the in was the beginning. At long last, we now have the tools to do the job and must look to the future. Our plan sets out one of those that churchill understood could completely captivate the minds of the American People and bring out their creative and energetic powers. Washington, we are surrounded by venerable and venerated institutions of study, including, for example, the Woodrow Wilson international theer for scholars, brookings institution, the heritage foundation, and the American Enterprise institute. We are dedicated and passionate in our commitment that within nclc will stand tall among these institutions and the globally recognized and respected as a facility that supports and encourages research, discussion and new thinking in methods of leadership, global citizenry, statesmanship, and resolution of conflict. With the example of the last centurys supreme statesman as our kind, there will be a growing impact in these fields. It will promote Healthy Exchange of ideas through our forums, even hosting within eight years president ial debates. As we have seen again and again in the crises that have beset our still young century, in times of trouble, people rightly look to the example of winston. Hurchill now, we have a strong cadre of. Eadership it was not an easy task to get our new president to say yes, but hes the only one we want. This cadre of Young Leaders club,simply as the other are pushing us forward with fresh energy, dynamism, and vitality. They make us financially, intellectually, and generationally selfsustaining, awe i stand in bewildered of all that they do, will do, and will bring to our organization. Fundraising that dirty word is a permanent fact of life in a growth organizations such as ours. Although we have raised millions thus far from many generous and support of donors, we cannot roughly continue to reach further afield for more funds to specific programs. Your help, connections, ideas, and, yes, of course, your donations are always much needed and truly appreciated. Aims. Y ask what are our they are of course, victory. Victory at all costs. This is what our victory will look like. We will establish the nclc and ics as the authority on the life lessons legacy and relevancy of Winston Churchill. We will make the nckc and the ics the place to go for research ,nto leadership, statesmanship and the protection of democracy and freedom. Finally, we will carry out the mandate given to us by churchill those many years ago, our late patron, that the memory of Winston Churchill would be kept and that the memory was accurate. I know i should end with an appropriate churchill quote. However, i want to share with you the last lines of a robert frost that has always reminded me not only of the importance of our task for what still lies ahead in our grand adventure. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep ut i have promises to keep and miles to go before i sleep and miles to go before i sleep. Thank you very much. [applause] , you willring up forgive me because i just was thinking of mary, winston, and margie just now and how i wish they would forgive me. Before i relinquish the podium, who has thank lee been my hardworking partner, has been patient with my moods, crises, and has never been overwhelmed. He is a partner in this crusade for this last half a dozen years. He has the gratitude and appreciation of us all. He and his wonderful ever forbearing wife have decided it. S time to retire though we are staying in touch, he has developed a following and is a much sought after speaker on churchill, and i hope he continues that. Lee is passing the torch to another member of the other club. After a long amount of research, we suggested a wonderful candidate, a man who takes all the boxes and has taken on the dual challenge of serving both as the first director of the National Churchill library and center and succeeding lee as executive director of. Director of ics. Fromel bishop comes to us strategic investment group, an Asset Company in arlington,. Irginia he was educated at the university of california at gw itself and georgetown university. He has extensive political experience, having served on in the hill and Later White House during the administration of gw bush. He was also executive director of the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial commission and for thes a consultant Steven Spielberg film about the 16th president. His reviews of articles on churchill, lincoln, and other subjects regularly appear in thee wall street journal, washington post, and the , and elsewhere. Michael, will you come up and introduce yourself to a truly daunting audience of churchillians who i know along with myself wish you success . [applause] mr. Bishop thank you, laurence, for that very kind introduction. All of us oh you a debt of gratitude for your leadership and your emphatic efforts to keep the flame of churchill a life. Can we have another round of applause please . [applause] mr. Bishop thank you. And thank you to lead pollack for helping make this moment a reality. He has done churchill plus legacy a great service, and i am pleased to call him a friend. Thank you, lee. It is a tremendous honor to be appointed the first director of the National Churchill library and center at the George Washington university and executive director of the International Churchill society. Im grateful to the board of ics and leadership of the gw libraries for selecting me. Though i have only been in my post since monday, my new colleagues have already made me feel at home, and as a 1994 recipient of a masters degree in gw, it is a sort of homecoming. Within that sleek space, students will have access to hundreds of volumes on churchill from classic works too much of the most recent scholarship, and interactive touchscreen video exhibition will allow patrons to seek in colorful and vivid detail countless photographs and documents that bring the great man to life to see in colorful and vivid detail. Churchill College Cambridge will be available to visitors online. Thanks to a generous gift from nclc can also boast a remarkable collection of churchills Second World War engagement very cards diary cards, never before available to the public or scholars. In addition and by the way, they form a fascinating contemporary record of the prime ministers meetings and movements during the Second World War. In addition, High Resolution digital scans are available online, and a remarkably successful crowdsourcing project has yielded detailed transcriptions. Im pleased to announce you can read more about this historical treasure trove and post today. The value of the nclc is not to be found in books, papers, or pixels alone. The walls of the library will soon ring with the sounds of discussion and debate as we host lectures by prominent historians, political figures, business people, and others and explore the countless issues that touch upon the churchill story. Among them, questions of war and peace, the future of the european union, and the continuing challenges in the middle east. To study the life and career of Winston Churchill is in many ways a welcome despite from the the ignoblerom present. They are no mere exercise in nostalgic, but rather a blueprint for leadership. Explore as the great mans example provides inspiration and instruction to leaders and aspiring leaders in many different fields of endeavor. This i look forward to working in concert with my new colleagues at the marvelous National Churchill museum at Westminster College in full, missouri. Especially the chairman, john paul and tim ryland. Thanks for all you have done to preserve the legacy of Winston Churchill. I trust that together we may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. [applause] thank you, michael. We are going to have