Bill Clinton Historical lecture. I would like to thank our great trustee and benefactor, bernard schwartz, for his generosity and making this event and many of our Public Programs possible. [applause] i would also like to recognize and thank one of our trustees who has joined us today, david blight. One of our panelists. I would take this opportunity to say how proud we are to count david among our trustees at new York Historical. I want to recognize laura washington and mercedes franklin, who are cochairs of our Frederick Douglass counsel. Of course, welcome all members who have joined up today. Joined usned us today. [applause] and i want to recognize a longstanding and very special friend of new York Historical, eric rudin, who has joined us this morning. Thank eric for all he and his family have done over a very long time at this institution. Thank you. [applause] this Mornings Program will last about an hour and a half and it will include a question and answer session. You should
I would also like to recognize and thank one of our trustees who has joined us today, david blight. One of our panelists. Opportunity tois say how proud we are to count david among our trustees at New York Historical. I want to recognize laura washington and mercedes franklin, who are cochairs of our Frederick Douglass counsel. Of course, welcome all members who have joined up today. Who have joined up today. [applause] and i want to recognize a if not, my colleagues are going up and down the aisles with notecards and pencils. The notecards will be collected later on in the program. There will be a book signing following the program this morning. The book signing will take place right outside these central doors in the smith gallery. Copies of the books are available for purchase at our ny History Museum store, which is located to my left on the 77th street side. We are really, truly delighted to welcome our guest speakers. David blight, professor of American History and director of th