Carta. We remember, of course, this institutions good fortune to have been called upon to safeguard the lincoln magna carta during world war ii. But as a repository of the accumulated knowledge of human civilization, the library of Congress Must also be acknowledged to be one of the best assets the United States possesses for participation in magna cartas greatest legacy, the preservation of the rule of law. The library began over two centuries ago as the principle reference collection for legal research, both for the congress and the United States supreme cou court. It continues to offer unparalleled Legal Resources to all three branches of the United States government as well as to the governments of foreign states. This mission, the preservation of the rule of law is inscribed in the very walls of the building in which we are standing, the Thomas Jefferson building, in paintings, mosaics in the ceiling, statues in the reading room. Theres a wonderful quote by the englishman richard
Ceremony. This program runs about 45 minutes. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Im james billington, the 13th librarian of the congress. Its a great pleasure to zvr coe you to the library of congress and to this event celebrating the opening of the librarys latest exhibition, magna carta, muse and a mentor. I think it is indisputable that the library of congress has a special relationship with magna carta. We remember, of course, this institutions good fortune to have been called upon to safeguard the lincoln magna carta during world war ii. But as a repository of the accumulated knowledge of human civilization, the library of Congress Must also be acknowledged to be one of the best assets the United States possesses for participation in magna cartas greatest legacy, the preservation of the rule of law. The library began over two centuries ago as the principle reference collection for legal research, both for the congress and the United States supreme cou court. It continues to offer
Latest exhibition, magna carta, muse and a mentor. I think it is indisputable that the library of congress has a special relationship with magna carta. We remember, of course, this institutions good fortune to have been called upon to safeguard the lincoln magna carta during world war ii. But as a repository of the accumulated knowledge of human civilization, the library of Congress Must also be acknowledged to be one of the best assets the United States possesses for participation in magna cartas greatest legacy, the preservation of the rule of law. The library began over two centuries ago as the principle reference collection for legal research, both for the congress and the United States supreme cou court. It continues to offer unparalleled Legal Resources to all three branches of the United States government as well as to the governments of foreign states. This mission, the preservation of the rule of law is inscribed in the very walls of the building in which we are standing, the
Civilization, the library of Congress Must also be acknowledged to be one of the best assets the United States possesses for participation in magna cartas greatest legacy, the preservation of the rule of law. The library began over two centuries ago as the principle reference collection for legal research, both for the congress and the United States supreme cou court. It continues to offer unparalleled Legal Resources to all three branches of the United States government as well as to the governments of foreign states. This mission, the preservation of the rule of law is inscribed in the very walls of the building in which we are standing, the Thomas Jefferson building, in paintings, mosaics in the ceiling, statues in the reading room. Theres a wonderful quote by the englishman richard hooker. Of law there can be no less acknowledged than that her voice is the harmony of the world. Todays program embodies the spirit i think embodies that quotation. Well hear from not only our law libra
But every president since then has come to the gridiron as an honored guest and has spoken. The president unlike a lot of organizations, we give the president the last word of the evening. So in a matter what is said before, how much lampooning going on, the president gets the last word which is a very important attraction. And it is viewed as important enough that theyve all come. Some of them havent come every year. President obama hasnt. Richard nixon didnt come every year. And so i say at the end especially at the end. Or carter. And Ronald Reagan was here every year and his wife performed famously singing secondhand clothes to the tune of secondhand rose and turned her image around. Everybody had her as a big stuffy and standoffish and everybody agrees that america appreciated her more afterwards. And that was one case where motos did photos did leak out somehow, we think through the white house. And president of the Gridiron Club this year, thank you for your insights. And thank