Im the president of the historical association. It is my privilege to welcome you to Decatur House as well as the White House Historical association. Tonights program is exciting and we are honored to partner with our good friends at the Richard Nixon foundation. I would like to welcome dr. Jim esther, inhis wife, the front row. [applause] hewitt the president of the Nixon Foundation who you will hear from in a few moments. We have many distinguished guests, many former officials from the nixon and other friends,ations, staff, and we are honored to have you here. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Patricia Nixon becoming the first lady of the united states. Under her leadership, the white as collection added over 600 paintings and furnishing elements to the white house collection. That is the most of any presidency. The significance of this will be discussed in tonights program but it is important to us here at the White House Historical association as a core part of our mission.
I would like to welcome jim cavanagh, chairman of the board of the Nixon Foundation. His wife esther right here in the front row. [laughter] [applause] president of the Nixon Foundation who you will hear from in a few moments. We have many distinguished guests, many former officials from the nixon and other administrations. We are honored to have you here tonight. Year marks the 50th anniversary of protection nixon becoming the first lady. Nixon. Icia under her leadership, the white house collection added over 600 paintings and furnishing elements of the white house collection which is the most of any presidency. The significance of this will be discussed in tonights program. It is important to us here at the White House Historical association is a core part of our nation our mission which was inspired, as most of you know by first Lady Jacqueline kennedy to be the private nonpartisan partner to the white house for conservation, preservation, restoration of the staterooms of the white