Transcripts For CSPAN2 Bill Clinton Says Legacy Of Little Ro

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 States William 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 Park Service 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 Civil Rights 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 School National 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