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FA L L 2017 A DVA N C I N G P R E S I D E N T T R U M A N ’ S L I B R A RY A N D L E G ACY
TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE
E X P L O RE
L E ARN
EVENT S
Tour the Truman Library Institute’s new office space at Rockhurst
Be inspired by an intimate conversation with civil rights legends
Doris Kearns Goodwin returns to the Bennett Forum by popular demand
TRU MAGAZINE
FALL 2017
COVER: The Truman Library Institute recently relocated its office to a new space on the campus of Rockhurst University as a part of an exciting new chapter expanding the Truman footprint in Kansas City.
Whistle Stop
“The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know.”
CONTE NTS
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Expanding the Truman Footprint
Civil Rights Legends
Speaker Spotlight
Tour the Truman Library Institute’s new office space on the campus of Rockhurst University and learn about plans to expand programming.
Read an excerpt of an intimate conversation with Rep. James Clyburn and Rep. John Lewis, two heroes of the Civil Rights Movement.
Preview the 2017 Bennett Forum on the Presidency featuring Doris Kearns Goodwin, back by popular demand.
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M E SSAG E FROM EXECUTIVE D I R ECTOR Harry Truman once said, “Make no little plans. Make the biggest one you can think of, and spend the rest of your life carrying it out.” As the Truman Library Institute implements important components of our new strategic plan and launches a capital campaign, this quote rings true to this exciting time in our history. Join us as we celebrate and look forward to some historic landmarks for our organization: 1. As part of our strategic plan, the Truman Library Institute has relocated to the campus of Rockhurst University in the heart of Kansas City. This move allows us to partner closely with the students and faculty of Rockhurst and nearby University of Missouri – Kansas City, while also having closer proximity to many donors, friends, partners and program attendees. We have already hosted several events in this space, including a program on presidential leadership attended by Rockhurst students and a special gathering with Presidential Photographer Pete Souza. You can find images and additional information about our new space on page 6. 2. Generous donors have contributed more than $325,000 for the Truman Statue Project, a campaign to create and install a statue of Harry Truman in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. We are seeking more donations for this project as we head into fall. Please contact Kim Rausch at Kim.Rausch@TrumanLibraryInstitute.org or 816.400.1214 for more information about this special project. 3. The schematic design phase for the renovation of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum has been completed, resulting in an inspirational vision for a new Truman exhibition and improved visitor experience. These plans will ensure that the Truman Library remains an innovative museum to learn and be inspired by Harry Truman’s life and legacy. 4. We completed the feasibility study component of our upcoming capital campaign and have received enthusiastic responses from our community of supporters. Surveys showed that the creation of new exhibits, development of new education programs and the expansion of existing education and public programming resonated the most with our supporters like you. We are in awe of the generous and passionate responses from our community as we embark on this capital campaign. Thank you for your ongoing support.
With your help, we will build on these successes to inspire the next generation of our country's leaders with Harry Truman's example.
I hope you enjoy reading about these initiatives in this issue of TRU Magazine. I think you will agree it is "a great time to be in the Truman business," as my friend and colleague Truman Library Director Kurt Graham likes to say. With your help, we will build on these successes to inspire the next generation of our country’s leaders with Harry Truman's example. Thank you for your support of this important mission. Alex Burden Executive Director | Truman Library Institute
Editor and Design: Lacey Helmig Photographer: Mark McDonald Send comments, requests, and changes of address to: Truman Library Institute | 816.400.1212 5151 Troost Ave., Ste. 300 | Kansas City, MO 64110 info@TrumanLibraryInstitute.org | Visit us online at TrumanLibraryInstitute.org TRU is published for friends and members of the Truman Library Institute, the nonprofit partner of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, one of 14 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives.
Stay Connected The Truman Library Institute @TrumanLibInst Truman Library Institute For notification of public programs, exhibit openings and special events, subscribe to our special events e-newsletter at TrumanLibraryInstitute.org
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Picturing History
President Truman meeting in the Oval Office with a team of his advisers to discuss the status of the Marshall Plan implementation in 1948. The European Recovery Program, better known as the Marshall Plan, was an unprecedented initiative to rebuild Western Europe. The U.S. provided more than $13 billion (nearly $135 billion in current dollars) in economic support to help rebuild Western Europe after World War II. Some 18 European countries received aid, including Allied Nations, the Axis powers and neutral countries, with Great Britain receiving the largest amount at about 26% of the total. This bold program set up the foundation for decades of collaboration and support between the U.S. and a good number of our current allies, one of many of Truman's initiatives still influencing the world today.
'THE GREATEST MAN OF WORLD WAR II' When Secretary of State George Marshall announced the proposed plan in a commencement speech, it was suggested that it be dubbed "The Truman Plan." The president responded, "Are you crazy? If we sent it up to that Republican Congress with my name on it, they'd tear it apart. We're going to call it the Marshall Plan." Since Truman referred to Marshall as "The greatest man of World War II," he knew that his name would provide the plan with the support it needed.
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NEWS BRIEFS Welcome New Board Members
The Truman Library Institute Board of Directors welcomed four new members to its ranks earlier this year. Join us in welcoming the following individuals to the board: Meyer Sosland, Director of Operations and Executive Editor at Sosland Publishing and a board member of the Sosland Family Foundation; Eileen Weir, mayor of Independence, MO, and a public relations professional; Maureen McMeel Carroll, a community volunteer who has been involved with organizations like St. Luke’s, Rockhurst University and more; and James Rine, president of the Kansas City region of UMB Bank. (From left to right: Meyer Sosland, Eileen Weir, Maureen McMeel Carroll. Not pictured: James Rine.)
Beth Smith (1921-2017)
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Beth Smith this spring. Beth was a longtime friend of the Truman Library Institute who served as an Honorary Trustee and Board Member. She and her late husband Ed’s generous gift made The White House Decision Center possible, and since then tens of thousands of students have assumed the roles of Harry Truman and his advisors to try their hand at presidential decision-making through the historical simulation. Beyond her generous support of the Truman Library Institute, Beth was a civil rights and social justice pioneer who cofounded the Women’s Employment Network. She was also a supporter of countless other organizations including the United Way of Greater Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and the American Jazz Museum.
James B. Nutter (1928 - 2017)
This summer sadly brought the loss of another former Board Member and longtime friend of the Truman Library Institute, James B. Nutter, Sr. Jim and his wife Annabel have been key supporters of the Truman Library Institute through a host of campaigns and initiatives over the years, including contributing to the Classroom for Democracy campaign that funded the last major museum renovation, serving as the title sponsor of the hugely popular White House in Miniature exhibition and more. Jim was the founder and chairman of mortgage and banking firm James B. Nutter & Co. and a generous supporter of countless local and national organizations beyond the Truman Library Institute, including Children's Mercy Hospital, Nutter Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center and Park, Kansas City Public Library, Boy Scouts of America and more.
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T RU LET TERS Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality and assistance in arranging my visit to the Truman Library. It is quite an honor to speak at any presidential library, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity. Paul Brandus West Wing Reports White House Correspondent and speaker at Truman Library Institute event "Under This Roof"
Thank you so much for the passionate and insightful tour you gave of the Truman Library to our interns and staff. They returned to the office reminiscing about how much they learned and how enjoyable the experience was. I hope that many future visitors are able to learn from your tours. Emanuel Cleaver, II Member of Congress
“The Truman Library is the best I have seen! ....I am so proud to be a member of the Truman Library Institute!" J I M HOMAN
Thank you so much for paying for our Harry S. Truman Library field trip. I enjoyed my time learning about Harry S. Truman. I found myself learning and having fun at the same time! That hasn't happened in a long time. I loved the crafts, voting booths, and the phones that you can listen to people talk about WWII and the atomic bombs. Thanks again! Phoebe 3rd grader
I recently had a very minor issue with my membership to the Truman Library Institute. Judy and Kim promptly addressed my concern and got things squared away (thanks for the bumper sticker, by the way). We, as a society, are quick to criticize but slow to praise, and I wanted to give credit where it is due and say "thank you" for taking care of me!
Thank you so much for an awesome experience. Your knowledge and insights went far beyond my expectations. I also want to express my gratitude for the grant. We would not have been able to attend without the financial help.
I am a history buff — I have visited various sites from nearly all of our presidents. I can say that the Truman Library is the best I have seen! A great part of that is due to President Truman's legacy and his example, but the fine staff at the Library and the Institute also play a big part! I am so proud to be a member of the Truman Library Institute! Thanks again for the help!
Melody Young Strafford High School
Jim Homan Truman Library Institute Member
Dear President Harry S. Truman, Thank you for making this museum so people could see it. It was very knowledgeable and I learned a lot. Jordyn 3rd grader The Members Night at the Museum was spectacular! I was certainly surprised by all the activities and enjoyed every bit of it. The menu was brilliant. Photo ops in the green screen room and with Rosie the Riveter were really fun, and the Star Spangled Betties were terrific. They sounded like the Andrew Sisters. The White House renovation exhibit is fascinating (this was my second time to see it). Thank you very much for a fun evening. Arlene Segal Truman Library Institute Member
A tremendous thank you for last night's event! My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Pete Souza share his behind the scenes perspective. A gentleman capturing a gentleman. Also, we're making plans to come visit the museum! Congrats and thank you, Ann Griffith Program Attendee
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NEW OFFICE LOCATION
EXPANDING THE TRUMAN FOOTPRINT The Truman Library Institute has embarked on a groundbreaking move to a new office space on the campus of Rockhurst University. This relocation is the culmination of a multiyear strategic planning process that will help elevate the Institute’s visibility and grant access to a college campus to deepen educational programs at the university level and beyond. “The Truman Library Institute’s move to Rockhurst is a landmark time in our history,” said Clyde Wendel, Truman Library Institute board chair. “This relocation will allow us to reach new audiences through our education programs and beyond.” The Institute will continue providing the same support to the mission and programming of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, with education and public programs still taking place on-site at the museum. The relocation simply allows for the Institute to continue its current programming and add even more events and opportunities in Kansas City to broaden its reach.
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“The educational mission of the Truman Library Institute fits nicely with the mission of Rockhurst University.” FR. THOMAS B. CU R RAN ROCKH U RST U N IVE RS ITY PR E S I DE NT
“Rockhurst is a natural partner because of our mutual focus on education and the history of Harry Truman’s connection to the students and faculty at Rockhurst, beginning with his service in World War I and continuing in his life postpresidency,” Wendel said. Harry Truman had a close relationship with Rockhurst since World War I when he led Battery D, which was largely composed of Rockhurst Academy students. Upon his return to Independence following his presidency, he attended a variety of events at Rockhurst and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. After attending the Rockhurst Day dinner in 1954, Rockhurst President Maurice E. Van Ackeren, S.J., wrote Truman a letter thanking him for his attendance including the following: “The Dean, the Faculty and I myself would
hold it a great honor for you to make use of the academic facilities at Rockhurst College for the execution of any plans you may have in mind, at present or in the future, to stimulate young men and to inspire them to intelligently patriotic thought and activity... No more excellent opportunity could ever be granted them than to breathe the climate of political integrity and knowledge which you would create in seminar or class.” More than 60 years later, the Truman Library Institute looks forward to taking advantage of this invitation and seeing the relationships and learning that will emerge in this partnership. “The educational mission of the Truman Library Institute fits nicely with the mission of Rockhurst University, and we anticipate new areas of partnership that will enrich the
learning environment for our students, faculty and staff,” said Rockhurst University President Thomas B. Curran, S.J. This relocation embodies several key components in the Truman Library Institute’s strategy for the future. The new space and its central location on a university campus specifically addresses the following priorities: 1. Education and Public Service The relocation allows new opportunities to showcase the Truman Library Institute’s education and public service programming. A second generation of programming based on Truman’s presidency and legacy will be born, including collaborations with Rockhurst University, nearby University of Missouri – Kansas City, and other levels of education in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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A MAYORAL WELCOME The new office has already provided a venue for several events, including an inaugural program attended by Mayor Sly James (left), who said, "The things that President Truman stands for are the things that Rockhurst stands for: Service, engagement in the community, making hard decisions for the right reasons, and doing the right thing at the right time for the right people."
2. Location and Visibility The footprint and presence of the Truman Library will increase through new offsite experiences in Kansas City and beyond. The Truman Library Institute will continue programming in Independence and develop new outreach in Kansas City so that the Truman Library has a visible presence beyond the eastern Jackson County area. These new initiatives will focus on drawing people back to the Truman Library and Museum itself, recognizing that the museum is the best place to learn about Harry Truman. 3. Financial Strength and Sustainability This move opens new doors for current fundraising strategies and paves the way for new partnerships and relationships by increasing the footprint of the Truman story beyond eastern Jackson County and the
Kansas City metropolitan area. These new fundraising opportunities will help build a strong foundation to carry on Truman’s legacy through education and community programming for decades to come. The beautiful new space was designed by Gould Evans and constructed by JE Dunn. It includes eight work stations, a multipurpose room fit for hosting events and lectures for up to 75 people, and space to tell the Truman story on the Rockhurst campus. “We are proud of this beautiful new space and especially of the promise it holds to expand the mission of the Truman Library Institute and President Truman’s life and legacy to reach new audiences in Kansas City and beyond,” said Alex Burden, executive director of the Truman Library Institute.
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ROCKHURST AND CAPTAIN TRUMAN IN WORLD WAR I During his service in World War I, Harry Truman was assigned to lead Battery D, which was composed largely of students from Rockhurst Academy. “I think about 90 percent of them were from Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College out there — Catholic boys. They were a pretty wild bunch of Irish I'll tell you that,” said Edgar G. Hinde, a lifelong friend of Truman’s and officer of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment. Battery D went through several captains before Truman was assigned to them, according to Hinde. “He was a thirty-third degree Mason in a Catholic battery and we thought he was going to have a pretty rough go of it, but he made the best success of any of them. They all fell for him,” Hinde recalled. Truman’s service in the war helped him develop his leadership and decision-making skills. Having entered the war with only farming and clerical experience, Truman was given the opportunity to direct and motivate his peers, which helped him as he led the entire country through the end of the next world war and beyond.
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CIVIL RIGHTS LEGENDS Photo of Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. John Lewis and David Von Drehle by Mark McDonald
The Washington Post columnist and Truman Library Institute Board Member David Von Drehle interviewed Rep. James Clyburn and Rep. John Lewis at the 18th Annual Wild About Harry event earlier this year, in what was a captivating discussion between two heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. The congressmen, who were both honored with the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award, joined Von Drehle on stage for an engaging conversation where they shared personal stories of
A CONVERSATION WITH REP. JAMES CLYBURN AND REP. JOHN LEWIS
witnessing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in person, of forgiving an attacker decades later, and of the impact of the Civil Rights Movement today. Read an excerpt from this historic discussion, then watch the whole conversation at TrumanLibraryInstitute.org/WILD. DAVID VON DREHLE: When did you begin to feel like your government might be on your side instead of your enemy? REP. JAMES CLYBURN: My parents had a lot of rules, but there are two rules that we all abided by. Every morning at breakfast we had to recite
a Bible verse, and you couldn’t say the same one twice. On the day that my dad laid down the rule, he took “Jesus wept” off the table. The second rule was every evening before retiring to bed, my two brothers and I had to share with my mom and dad a current event. We didn’t have TV, so in order to do that, you had to read the newspapers. So every afternoon The Sumter Daily was delivered, and we read it. Now, in 1948, when Truman issued Executive Order 9981, there were some other things going on in South Carolina that same year. You will recall the election was coming up. Strom Thurmond was very upset about the executive order. He left the party, and ran for president against Truman on the States’ Rights ticket. So I’m reading about all this every day as an eight year old, and then there were some other things going on down in that same courthouse. J. Waties Waring, a federal judge, issued a
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ruling mandating that black teachers and white teachers must be paid the same. Also in 1948, J. Waties Waring issued a ruling that opened up the Democratic primary to blacks. All of this was going on in 1948, and I’m soaking all of this in. That was my moment of knowing that things were going to change. ’48 was a big year, and of course, in ’52, when I was 12 years old, this was when the efforts were started in Clarendon County— Briggs v. Elliott that led to Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. In that six-year period, there was this tremendous transition, and it was highlighted by Harry Truman’s election to the presidency. This is what got me involved in politics. How can this ordinary fellow go up against this icon, this wealthy, gang-buster from New York, Thomas Dewey, and win? That’s when I said, “Things can change.” DVD: Congressman Lewis, you must have a similar story because when you came on the American scene as a young man in his early 20s, you represented hope. Where did your hope come from? REP. JOHN LEWIS: Now, you know I grew up in rural Alabama. My father was a sharecropper, but in 1944 when I was four years old, my father had saved $300 and a man sold him 110 acres of land. My family still owns this land today. When we would visit the little town of Troy or visit Montgomery or Tuskegee, I saw those signs that said, “White men, colored men. White women, colored women,” and I would ask my mother and father, “Why?” They would say, “That’s the way it is. Don’t get in the way. Don’t get in trouble.” In 1955, at 15 years old, I heard about Rosa Parks. I heard the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the radio, and the actions of Rosa Parks, the words and leadership of Dr. King inspired me to find a way to get in the way. DVD: When you went to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, I bet you knew what lay in store for you. How do you prepare for that? How do you prepare yourself mentally and spiritually for that to be nonviolent in response to what you know is going to be a violent attack? REP. LEWIS: We prepared ourselves. We studied the way of peace, we studied the way of love. We studied the philosophy and the discipline of nonviolence. We had been taught never to hate or to become bitter and never to lose the sense of hope. In the process, you may get arrested a few times. You may be beaten, left bloody and left unconscious. In Montgomery, I was hit in the head with a wooden crate. In Selma, I had a concussion on that bridge. I saw death. I thought I was going to die, but you keep going, and to see something that is so necessary and so right, and I’ve said to my colleagues sometimes, and to friends and members in my district, and to my brothers and sisters in the movement, that you have
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to be hopeful. You have to be optimistic, and keep going. Be faithful. Don’t get lost in the sea of despair. … As I stated earlier, my mother, my father and grandparents kept saying, “Don’t get in trouble. Don’t get in trouble.” I met Rosa Parks in 1957 when I was 17. It inspired me to get in trouble, and I’ve been getting in trouble ever since. DVD: Given what’s going on in Washington, are you hopeful about America coming together around agenda items? REP. CLYBURN: I think that one of the big mistakes that we make when we look at our society is to think that things move on a linear plain. They don’t. This country has always gone right for a while, back left for a while, back right for a while like a pendulum on a clock. … We must always remember that when a pendulum goes from left to right, it passes through the center. When it goes from right back left, it passes through the center. So, we spend twice as much time in the center than we do on the left or the right. That’s the stabilizing force. I am not frightful. I am disappointed, but I’m not frightful. I get disappointed daily about other stuff, but you can get over disappointments. Keep the faith as John loved to say. Stay the course. I think things are going to be okay but you can’t sit back and wait. My father was a minister. He used to tell us all the time “Son, pray every day. Pray for good health and strength and then get up off your knees and work like hell.” So, we’ve got to work. REP. LEWIS: During the ‘60s, I got arrested a few times and this man stayed in a little town in Rock Hill during the Freedom Riot. My seatmate was a young white gentleman from Connecticut. We got off the bus. We tried to enter a so-called white waiting room. We were jumped by members of the Klan. We were left lying in a pool of blood. Then, local police officials came up wanting to know whether we wanted to press charges. We said “No.” Now, this is May 1961. In February 2009 one of the guys that beat us and left us bloody, came to my office in Washington. He was in his 70s with a son in his 40s. He said “Mr. Lewis, I’m one of the people that beat you. Will you forgive me? I want to apologize. Will you accept my apology?” His son started crying. He started crying. They hugged me and I hugged them back. We became friends. I believe in the ability of us to get it right. I believe we can redeem America and create a beloved community and lay down the burden of race. I truly believe in my guts that we will get there. We will get there. If we get there, America will emerge as an example for the rest of the world but it’s going to be our children, our young people that lead us there and take us there.
“I believe we can redeem America and create a beloved community and lay down the burden of race.” R E P. J O H N LE W I S
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BENNETT FORUM SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN
Photo of Doris Kearns Goodwin and Bill Moyers at the 2015 Bennett Forum by Mark McDonald
What makes a president great? How do presidents successfully communicate with citizens to mobilize their support or win their approval? How will the current events be remembered historically? On Saturday, Nov. 4, the Howard & Virginia Bennett Forum on the Presidency will feature Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian who will discuss her award-winning books, the American presidency and leadership lessons from the White House. Goodwin will be in conversation with David Von Drehle, a columnist for
The Washington Post, who writes about national affairs and politics, and award-winning author of four books, including Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most Perilous Year. One of the Truman Library Institute’s signature events, the Bennett Forum has grown to become Kansas City’s most anticipated politically-themed program. When Goodwin last spoke at the Bennett Forum in 2015, the event sold out more than a week in advance. Goodwin’s previous appearance at the Bennett Forum was highlighted by her talented storytelling on the lives of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and other presidential legends. “Every now and then when I get too discouraged about politics, I just keep thinking that in the end, if you have the right person in the right place at the right time, they really can change the course of history and
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make life better for our country and for our people,� Goodwin said at the Bennett Forum in 2015. This year's event will discuss the presidency in the post-truth era, including how our current times may be interpreted by future historians. Goodwin will also discuss the themes of the book she is currently writing on presidential leadership. Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian and author of six critically-acclaimed and New York Times bestselling books. She collaborated with Steven Spielberg for his 2012 film Lincoln, which was based on her celebrated book on Abraham Lincoln, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Goodwin is well known for her commentary on television and is frequently seen on NBC, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, CNN and more.
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The Bennett Forum on the Presidency was established in 2006 by Mary and Michael Johnston in honor of the role Mary’s father played in the founding of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum.
THE BENNETT FORUM ON THE PRESIDENCY Featuring Doris Kearns Goodwin in conversation with David Von Drehle Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017
Unity Temple on the Plaza
Tickets: Members can reserve free seats beginning Oct. 1, and tickets go on sale to the public for $10 Oct. 9 Details: TrumanLibraryInstitute.org/Bennett
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HISTORY MAKERS Harry S. Truman once said, “There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know." Luckily for Hannah Scott and Erin Lowe, there’s a lot of history they know. Armed with their knowledge of history, these two local students recently came home with gold medals from the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C.
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ON S PECIAL EXH I B IT through December 31, 2017
TITLE S PON SOR J E DU N N CON STR UCTION CO. ADDITIONAL FU N DI NG PROVI DE D BY B R IG. G E N. JACK L. CAPPS TH E POWE LL FAM I LY Mary and John Hunkeler Mary Ellen and James Ascher The Evans Family Jeannine Strandjord
Katie and Clyde Wendel Amy and Bob Dunn Kay and Roger Novak Black & Veatch Kirk Carpenter Merilyn and Loren Berenbom
Barbara and Allen Lefko Daisy and John MacDonald Thomas Martin Foundation Page and Bruce Reed Mary and Alan Atterbury Janet Napolitano
TICKETS
HOU RS
STUDENT & GROUP TOURS
Included with museum admission Members admitted free
Monday - Saturday, 9 - 5 Sunday, 12 - 5
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Julana Harper-Sachs and Adam P. Sachs Beth and David Williams Ann Heiss Dennis Merrill Karen Ball and David Von Drehle
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Truman Medal for Economic Policy to be awarded to Robert Shiller October 23, 2017 6 p.m. Reception | 6:30 p.m. Program Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch TrumanLibraryInstitute.org/Medal
TRUMAN MEDAL FOR ECONOMIC POLICY
Robert Shiller
Few people have had such profound impact on the way we think about residential real estate prices as Robert Shiller, this year’s recipient of the Truman Medal for Economic Policy. Shiller is the Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University and a fellow at the Yale School of Management’s International Center for Finance. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 2013 with Eugene Fama and Lars Hansen for their empirical analysis of asset prices. Shiller is one of the creators of the Case-Shiller indices, a standard for measuring U.S. residential real estate prices. Shiller will be in Kansas City to receive the Truman Medal at a public event Monday, October 23, 2017, at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library. A public reception will take place at 6 p.m., followed by the award presentation and remarks from
Shiller at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested. This program is presented in partnership with the Economic Club of Kansas City, the Henry W. Bloch School of Management and the Missouri Council on Economic Education. The Truman Medal for Economic Policy was created in 2005 thanks to endowment gifts from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and JE Dunn Construction Company. It recognizes extraordinary achievement in the formation and conduct of economic policy. The Truman Medal honors the creation of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) under President Harry S. Truman. The CEA was established by the Employment Act of 1946, which President Truman signed on Feb. 20, 1946. The act committed the government, as Truman described it, “to take any and all measures necessary for a healthy economy.” The medal is given biennially and has previously been awarded to John B. Taylor, Alice M. Rivlin, Allan H. Meltzer, Alan Greenspan and others.
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ON S PECIAL EXH I B IT through December 31, 2017
TITLE S PON SOR J E DU N N CON STR UCTION CO. ADDITIONAL FU N DI NG PROVI DE D BY B R IG. G E N. JACK L. CAPPS TH E POWE LL FAM I LY Mary and John Hunkeler Mary Ellen and James Ascher The Evans Family Jeannine Strandjord
Katie and Clyde Wendel Amy and Bob Dunn Kay and Roger Novak Black & Veatch Kirk Carpenter Merilyn and Loren Berenbom
Barbara and Allen Lefko Daisy and John MacDonald Thomas Martin Foundation Page and Bruce Reed Mary and Alan Atterbury Janet Napolitano
TICKETS
HOU RS
STUDENT & GROUP TOURS
Included with museum admission Members admitted free
Monday - Saturday, 9 - 5 Sunday, 12 - 5
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Julana Harper-Sachs and Adam P. Sachs Beth and David Williams Ann Heiss Dennis Merrill Karen Ball and David Von Drehle
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PETE SOUZA: THE PRESIDENT'S PHOTOGRAPHER
“Did they tell you President Obama was coming?” Pete Souza asked the crowd at Unity Temple at a public program on September 14, remarking on the fact that nearly 1,000 people had flocked into the auditorium to hear him speak. Souza, the Official White House Photographer of Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, enthralled the audience with hilarious stories of White House practical jokes, insider experiences sitting in every single Situation Room meeting during the Obama presidency, and his poignant retelling of the days following the Sandy Hook massacre. He shared just a few of the nearly two million photographs that he took during his eight years as Obama’s Chief Photographer, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of each.
Souza took the audience on a journey through both the highlights and the lowest moments of Obama’s presidency. “I think to this day President Obama would say the best day of his presidency was when the Affordable Care Act passed,” he said, while showing photos of the journey up to the day the bill passed. He also described his view of the packed Situation Room on the day of the Osama bin Laden raid, which he described as “one of the most historic days” of Obama’s presidency. Souza noted how interesting it was to witness some of the most powerful people in the world sit in the Situation Room that day, powerless to do anything but watch the events unfold. He went on to say that the chair that Obama sat in during that fateful day would be housed in the Obama Presidential Center. While Souza witnessed historic moments like that, he also captured basketball games, quiet family moments and practical jokes during his
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'A BIRTHDAY I'LL NEVER FORGET' Pictured at right: Arion Ford saw Pete Souza's Instagram post announcing his program in Kansas City, and he immediately made plans to travel from St. Louis to attend — even though the program fell on his 25th birthday. Why? "I think it's important to learn from perspectives like Pete's because it illustrates how much of a human being the president really is. Yes, he's the president, but he too is human," Ford said.
eight years with President Obama. "My job is documenting the president for history and also documenting the person as a human being,” he said.
It was truly an honor to be at Unity Temple and to see Pete again, a birthday I'll never forget.”
He told the captivated audience how in the midst of the BP oil crisis, Obama was working long hours, yet when he saw his daughter playing on the swing set outside the Oval Office, he took time to go share a moment with her. “He was always focused on his daughters when he was in their presence, even if it was only a few minutes,” Souza said.
Ford followed up his first question with a personal request: “Will you take a picture with me?” Souza agreed.
Following his presentation, Souza took questions from the audience. One question came from Arion Ford, who traveled all the way from St. Louis to attend the event on his 25th birthday. “I couldn’t miss the event,” he proclaimed. “Since I follow Pete on Instagram, I saw the post he made about being in Kansas City and had to jump on the opportunity. I met Pete years ago at a town hall with former President Obama during his first 100 days in office, and I have kept up with his work ever since.
This event was the last in the Saving the White House series, highlighting the temporary exhibit on display at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum through Dec. 31.
Attendees traveled from throughout the region, including from St. Louis, Chicago, Tulsa and beyond, to hear Souza speak.
Browse through photos from Souza's program and beyond on his website, PeteSouza.com.
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TRU MAGAZINE
FALL 2017
TRU EVENTS 01
TRUMAN MEDAL FOR ECONOMIC POLICY HONORING ROBERT J. SHILLER Monday, October 23, 2017, 6 p.m. Reception | 6:30 p.m. Program Truman Forum, Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4800 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. Hosted in partnership with the Economic Club of Kansas City, the Henry W. Bloch School of Management and the Missouri Council on Economic Education Join us for the award presentation of the Truman Medal for Economic Policy followed by acceptance remarks from this year's honoree, Robert J. Shiller, at this free public program. Shiller is the Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University and a fellow at the Yale School of Management’s International Center for Finance. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 2013, along with Eugene Fama and Lars Hansen, for their empirical analysis of asset prices. Shiller is one of the creators of the Case-Shiller indices, a standard for measuring U.S. residential real estate prices. Shiller will discuss the role of narrative in economic policy at this free event.
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BENNETT FORUM ON THE PRESIDENCY FEATURING DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN IN CONVERSATION WITH DAVID VON DREHLE Saturday, November 4, 2017, 6 p.m. Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo. The Bennett Forum on the Presidency has grown to become Kansas City’s most anticipated politically-themed program. This year’s event will feature presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in conversation with David Von Drehle of The Washington Post. Goodwin is a presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of six critically-acclaimed and New York Times bestselling books, including her most recent, The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism. Goodwin is currently writing a new book focused on presidential leadership. Von Drehle is a columnist for The Washington Post, where he writes about national affairs and politics, and an award-winning author of four books, the award-winning bestseller Triangle: The Fire That Changed America and Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most Perilous Year. Join us for an unforgettable conversation focused on the American presidency and leadership lessons from the White House.
MORE EVENTS AND EXHIBITS ONLINE: Subscribe to Truman eNews for complete details on public programs, members-only events, exhibition openings and more. Snap the QR code to sign up or visit TrumanLibraryInstitute.org.
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TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE
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IKE SKELTON VETERANS DAY SALUTE FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM Sunday, November 12, 2017, 1 p.m. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U.S. Hwy. 24, Independence, Mo. The Ike Skelton Veterans Day Salute is one of the most anticipated events of the year as we honor those who have fought to preserve our nation's freedom. Join us for a memorable day celebrating our veterans with patriotic activities, a wreath-laying ceremony and a special guest speaker.
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THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT: HARRY S. TRUMAN AND THE FOUR MONTHS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD FEATURING A.J. BAIME Thursday, November 16, 2017, 6:30 p.m. Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo. Hosted in partnership with Rainy Day Books. When President Roosevelt unexpectedly died on April 12, 1945, Harry Truman had not even been briefed on the largest weapon ever that was being developed in secrecy with plans to use it in World War II. He had only served as vice president for 82 days before becoming president, and he suddenly had to serve as commander in chief during the war while navigating issues on the homefront. "I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me," he said. Join us for a free program featuring New York Times bestselling author A.J. Baime, whose new book takes us on the wild ride of Truman’s first four months in the White House and the leadership lessons learned along the way. Baime's acclaimed storytelling casts new light on Truman's first few months as president and demonstrates leadership lessons that anyone can learn from.
CREATE YOUR OWN TRUMAN EVENT: The Truman team has speakers available to provide their knowledge for a customized presentation for an upcoming gathering or meeting. To create your own event, please contact us at info@TrumanLibraryInstitute.org.
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TRU MAGAZINE
FALL 2017
THE BUCK STOPS HERE SOCIETY
Truman Travelers
This fall the Truman Travelers are heading to the Birthplace of America, Philadelphia, for the annual VIP experience open only to members of The Buck Stops Here Society.
The 2017 Truman Travelers excursion features VIP experiences at the following attractions: the National Constitution Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the newly opened Museum of the American Revolution, the Barnes Foundation and the Battleship New Jersey.
The four-day, three-night VIP tour of Philadelphia will offer access to the top attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.
This year's trip is bound to be unforgettable in such a historic city. Philadelphia is the only U.S. city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage City for its historical importance.
The Truman Travelers program provides special opportunities just for members of The Buck Stops Here Society that unlock exclusive experiences in some of the most interesting cities in our nation. These trips are incredible opportunities to peek behind the scenes of our nation's historical sites and get unprecedented access.
Unique Truman Traveler experiences like this are a benefit offered exclusively to members of The Buck Stops Here Society. To inquire about Society membership or upcoming travel plans, please contact Kim Rausch at 816.400.1214 or Kim.Rausch@TrumanLibraryInstitute.org.
THE HOWARD AND VIRGINIA BENNETT
FORUM ON THE PRESIDENCY Featuring DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN in conversation with DAVID VON DREHLE SATURDAY,
UNITY TEMPLE
MEMBERS
November 4, 2017
On the Plaza
Attend Free
TrumanLibraryInstitute.org/Bennett The number of free tickets is determined by membership level. Tickets are available to members beginning on October 1 and go on sale to the general public October 9.
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TRU MAGAZINE
FALL 2017
A WOR D FROM HAR RY March 12, 1947 Special Message to Congress on Greece and Turkey: "The Truman Doctrine" One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion. …At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one... I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes… I therefore ask the Congress to provide authority for assistance to Greece and Turkey in the amount of $400,000,000... This is a serious course upon which we embark. I would not recommend it except that the alternative is much more serious… The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive. The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world — and we shall surely endanger the welfare of this Nation. Great responsibilities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events. I am confident that the Congress will face these responsibilities squarely.
The writing of this ground-breaking message went through multiple stages. In his memoir, Truman noted that the State Department’s first draft of the speech “was not at all to my liking.” According to Truman, “I wanted no hedging in this speech.” Because this speech “was America’s answer to the surge of expansion of Communist tyranny,” it “had to be clear and free of hesitation or double talk.” Read more about the story behind this speech by scanning the QR code at right.
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A total of 8 drafts of the Truman Doctrine speech are archived at the Truman Library and available online.
TR Uism # 72
“This was, I believe, the turning point in America's foreign policy, which now declared that wherever aggression, direct or indirect, threatened the peace, the security of the United States was involved." H A R RY S . T R U M A N
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